Benzyl Benzoate Isolation from Acridocarpus smeathmannii (DC.) Roots and Its Bioactivity on Human Prostate Smooth Muscle Contractions

Background: This study reports the bioactivity of a natural benzyl benzoate (nBB) from Acridocarpus smeathmannii (DC.). Known for its vasodilatory and anti-spasmolytic actions, we investigated the biological effects of nBB on human prostate smooth tissue (rPx) obtained from radical prostatectomy. Methods: nBB was extracted from heptane extracts of Acridocarpus smeathmannii roots and purified by repeated preparatory chromatographic techniques. We assessed pharmacological actions on human prostate tissue by cumulative concentration‐response curves for adrenergic agonists and electrical force stimulation in organ bath. Results: The structure was verified by GC-MS, HPLC-UV-VIS, and two-dimensional NMR. For its biological activities, rPx was incubated with nBB (10, 50, or 100 µM) in an organ bath and the cumulative concentration‐response curves for adrenergic agonists and electrical force stimulation (EFS) were evaluated. Adding 50 or 100 µM nBB showed potential inhibition during agonist-induced contractions (0.1 - 100 µM). Similarly, neurogenic contractions of rPx by EFS (2 - 32 Hz) were reduced up to 57%. Conclusions: this study reports on an efficient protocol for the isolation of nBB from A. smeathmannii and its contraction of human prostate smooth muscle. This is in support of the ethnobotanical usage of the crude root extracts in the management of reproductive diseases. Since BB influences prostate smooth muscle contractility, caution in patients taking herbal supplements or pharmaceutical formulations containing BB is essential as this may play a role in lower urinary tract symptoms condition.