Quercetin protects against chronic prostatitis in rat model through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

BackgroundChronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disease of urology, of which the pathogenesis and therapy remain to be further elucidated. Quercetin has been reported to improve the symptoms of CP/CPPS patients. We aimed to verify the therapeutic effect of quercetin on CP/CPPS and identify the mechanism responsible for it. MethodsA novel CP/CPPS model induced with Complete Freund Adjuvant in Sprague Dawley rats was established and the prostates and blood specimens were harvested for further measurement after oral administration of quercetin for 4 weeks. ResultsIncreased prostate index and infiltration of lymphocytes, up-regulated expression of IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, MCP1, and TNF, decreased T-SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, and increased MDA, enhanced phosphorylation of NF-B, P38, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK were detected in CP/CPPS rat model. Quercetin was identified to ameliorate the histo-pathologic changes, decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, MCP1, and TNF, improve anti-oxidant capacity, and suppress the phosphorylation of NF-B and MAPKs. ConclusionsQuercetin has specific protective effect on CP/CPPS, which is mediated by anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and at least partly through NF-B and MAPK signaling pathways.