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. 2020 Aug 13;15(8):e0236879. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236879

Fig 4. Effects of SC extract on 5α-reductase type 2 and prostate cell proliferation in TP-induced BPH rats.

Fig 4

To induce BPH, all rats were daily received TP injection (5 mg/kg, S.C.), except for the control group along with appropriate drugs (finasteride, saw palmetto, SC extract) orally for 4 weeks. For immunohistochemistry assay, after deparaffinization and dehydration, prostate tissues were subjected to anti-5α-reductase type 2 and anti-PCNA, the primary antibodies followed by the secondary antibody, goat anti-rabbit. Then, stained sections were examined using a light microscope to analyze the 5α-reductase type 2 color reaction cells and PCNA positive nuclei in 10 randomly selected fields (magnifications: 1, ×200; 2, ×400; short arrows, 5α-reductase type 2 color reaction cells and PCNA positive cells). (A) Representative photomicrographs of 5α-reductase type 2 expression. (B) 5α-reductase type 2 color reaction cell (%) in the prostate epithelial cells. (C) Representative photomicrographs of PCNA expression. (D) PCNA positive cell/100 cells. (a) Control, (b) BPH, (c) Fina, (d) Saw, (e) SC 50. Abbreviations: Control (PBS, P.O.), BPH (5 mg/kg TP, S.C. + PBS, P.O.), Fina (5 mg/kg TP, S.C. + finasteride 10 mg/kg, P.O.), Saw (5 mg/kg TP, S.C. + saw palmetto 100 mg/kg, P.O.), SC 50 (5 mg/kg TP, S.C. + SC extract 50 mg/kg, P.O.). Data are expressed as the means ± SD (n = 6). ### p < 0.001 versus control group; *** p < 0.001 versus BPH group.