Effect of cernitin pollen-extract on experimental nonbacterial prostatitis in rats

Background. The treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (NBP) has not been established. Cernitin pollen-extract (CN-009) is reported to have therapeutic effects for NBP, The effects and mechanisms of CN-009 were investigated. Methods. Ten-month-old rats were used with administration of estradiol after castration, which were similar to human NBP histologically. Since CN-009 consists of T-60 and GBX, these drugs were administered, respectively. The prostate was evaluated histopathologically including glandular damage (epithelial score), stromal ratio and immunohistochemical assays for epithelial function (PAP), stromal evaluation (Vimentin), cell proliferation (PCNA) and apoptosis (deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL)). Results. Controls revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation. CN-009 showed diminished these damages. Epithelial score was better (P<0.01) and PAP positive materials were more abundant in CN-009 and GBX than in Controls. The stromal ratio was lower in CN-009 (P<0.01) and T-60 (P<0.05). There was no difference for PCNA positive cells in the epithelium and stroma, and TUNEL positive cells in epithelium. While, the number of TUNEL positive cells in the stroma of CN-009 and T-60 increased (P<0.01). Conclusions. These findings suggest that CN-009 protects acinar epithelial cells mainly by GBX and also inhibits stromal proliferation in association with enhanced apoptosis mainly by T-60. Prostate 49: 122-131, 2001. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.