Safety profile of Colocasia esculenta tuber extracts in benign prostate hyperplasia

Introduction: This study was motivated by the increasing global incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the promising potential of nutraceuticals as complementary therapies in ameliorating its burden. We report the safety profile of Colocasia esculenta tuber extracts, a novel nutraceutical in benign prostate hyperplasia in a rat model. Methods: In our study, forty-five male albino rats were randomly assigned into 9 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (normal control) received olive oil and normal saline. Group 2 (negative control) received 3 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) and normal saline, group 3 (positive control) received 3mg/kg of TP and 5 mg/kg of finasteride. Our treatments groups 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 received 3 mg/kg of TP and lower dose (100 mg/kg) of LD 50 of ethanol crude tuber extract of Colocasia esculenta (ECTECE) or hexane, dichloromethane, butanone, ethylacetate and aqueous fractions of ECTECE respectively for a period of 28 days. Results: The negative controls showed significant (p  0.05) difference in mean relative weights of most vital organs: liver, kidneys and heart. This was also observed in hematological parameters: RBC, hemoglobin, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelets counts. In general, we note that the effects of the well-established drug finasteride on the biochemical parameters and histology of selected organs are comparable to those of c. esculenta fractions. Conclusion: This study demonstrates safety potential of C. esculenta tuber extract in a rat model.