Abstract

Objective : Although chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is a common disease, it is very difficult to treat effectively. GLS (Gleditsiae Spina) has traditionally been used in treatment of urinary tract inflammation and voiding disturbance. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of GLS in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and testosterone treatment. Method : We observed four experimental objects of normal group, control group, testosterone group, and GLS group. Rats were treated with 17$\beta$-estradiol after castration for induction of experimental non-bacteral prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histophatological profiles. GLS and testosterone were administered as an experimental specimen and a positive control, respectively. The prostates were evaluated by histopahological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelio-stromal ratio for glandular damage. Also, the prostates were observed by hematological alterations of WBC, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet. Results : While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with GLS showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in GLS over that of the control. The epithelial-stromal ratio was lower in GLS when compared to that of the control. Conclusion : These findings suggest that GLS may protect the glandular epithelial cells. We concluded that GLS could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

Keywords

• chronic non-baterial prostatitis;
• Gleditsiae spina