The effects of Cernitin® on inflammatory parameters and benign prostatic hyperplasia: An in vitro study

Phytother Res. 2019 Sep;33(9):2457-2464. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6438. Epub 2019 Jul 25.

Abstract

The pollen extract Cernitin® is widely used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and non-bacterial chronin prostatitis. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms to explain the clinical effects of Cernitin®. In this study, we sought to investigate the cellular mechanisms by which Cernitin® induces its effects on human prostatic cell lines BPH-1 and WPMY-1 and primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hPBMCs) in vitro. We examined the effects of Cernitin® formulas T60 and GBX on the protein expression, proliferation, and cytokines production. Results revealed that Cernitin® upregulated antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 and its receptors IL-10RA and IL-10B in addition to the upregulation of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in hPBMC. Interestingly, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were also increased. Furthermore, Cernitin® had significantly increased the level of IL-10 in BPH-1 and WPMY-1 cells. The level of IL-6 was also significantly increased in these cells although both T60 and GBX inhibited STAT-3 phosphorylation. Moreover, Cernitin® formulas had significantly reduced androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen protein expression in stromal cells (p < .05). Treatment with GBX and T60 had significantly inhibited proliferation of BPH (p < .001) and stromal cells (p < .05), in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, treatment with Cernitin® showed to regulate cytokines level in both prostatic cell lines and hPBMCs and it was associated with decreased androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen levels WPMY-1 cells.

Keywords: Cernitin®; benign prostatic hyperplasia; cytokines; prostatitis.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Hyperplasia / pathology
  • Secale

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • cernilton

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