The biochemical and haematological effects of ethanol leaf-extract of Cnidoscolus aconitifolius in testosterone propionate-induced benign prostate hyperplasia rats were investigated. Thirty male albino rats used for the study were distributed into six groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 was subcutaneously administered 1ml/kg body weight of olive oil and 1ml/kg of distilled water orally. Groups 2-6 were induced with BPH via daily subcutaneous injection of 3mg/kg testosterone propionate followed by oral administration of the extract. Group 2 received 1ml/kg distilled water; Group 3 received 5mg/kg finasteride while Groups 4-6 received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg of the ethanol leaf extract respectively for 28 days.Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined using spectro-photometric techniques and auto-haematological analyzer respectively. The results showed that the administration of C.aconitifolius extract in BPH induced rats significantly (p<0.05) restored the levels of prostate specific antigen, alkaline phosphatase and dihydrotestosterone. There were noticeable improvements in the haematological parameters of the treated animals when compared to BPH control group. Histological assay showed moderate healing of the prostate in the treated groups compared to BPH untreated control group. These findings suggested that the leaves of C.aconitifolius may promote the functions of prostates and could be recommended for BPH patients.

Keywords: Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, benign prostate hyperplasia, haematology, dihydrotestosterone, ethanol leaf-extract.