Effects of Tomato Extract Complex on Prostate Cancer Cells and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The study investigated the effects of a mixture called PLX, composed of tomato extract (including lycopene) and chitooligosaccharide, on prostatic cancer cells and testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Sprague Dawley rats. The research found that PLX decreased cell viability in L929 and LNCaP cell lines at specific concentrations and inhibited the expression of PSA and 5α-reductase genes in LNCaP cells. In vivo, PLX and finasteride reduced prostate weight in treated rats compared to the BPH-induced group, suggesting that PLX could be effective in managing BPH by acting as a 5α-reductase inhibitor.