Aim: To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone (T)-treated rats.

Methods: In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups: one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 (100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg). In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups: a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg).

Results: In normal rats, D-004 (100–800 mg/kg) inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation in prostate homogenates (35.7%–80.0%) vs. the controls. D-004 (200–800 mg/kg) significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally (100%) in T-treated rats.

Conclusion: Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.

Keywords: D-004, Roystonea regia, Cuban royal palm, prostate hyperplasia, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant

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