Objective To explore the inhibitive effect of soybean isoflavone on benign
prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Methods By subcutaneously
injecting testosterone propionate to induce prostate
hyperplasia in rats, the changes of prostate wet weight, prostatic index, morphological change, prostate-specific acid phosphatase (PAP), acid phosphatase in the control,the model,low,moderate,high dose of soybean isoflavone groups were observed.Results The ventral prostate wet weight, prostatic index,and PAP in the low, moderate,and high dose groups were significantly lower than those in the models (P<0.05). The ventral prostate wet weight, prostatic index,and PAP in the moderate,and high dose groups were significantly lower than those in the low dose group (P<0.05). Conclusion Soybean isoflavone inhibits prostate hyperplasia and the increase of acid phosphatase and PAP in a dose- dependent manner in rats. Soybean isoflavone may serve as supplementary therapy and prevent benign
prostatic hyperplasia.