Endogenous Sphingolipid Signaling Pathway Implicated in the Action of Croton membranaceus on the Prostate Gland in BPH Patients

Background: Croton membranaceus extract has apoptotic effects on BPH-1 cells. This study determined if the apoptotic effects were created through the ceramide pathway. Methods: The study was a follow-up to a previous observational study of 30 histologically confirmed patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who were on C. membranaceus ethanolic extract at 20 mg t.i.d orally for 3 mo. Thereafter, total and free prostate-specific antigen (PSA), lipid profile plus Apo lipoprotein A and B, ceramide/Sphingophospho-kinase 1 (SphK1) and 2 (SphK2), sphingosine lyase (SPL), the cytotoxic adducts of oxidative stress 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were determined. Results: Total and free PSA were significantly (p < 0.05) different after treatment. Apo lipoprotein A was significantly different (p = 0.024). The SphK1/SphK2 ratio reduced significantly (p = 0.049). Furthermore, SPL, ceramide, and MDA increased significantly after treatment (p = 0.05, p = 0.004, and p = 0.007, respectively). A weak positive correlation was found between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and SphK1, and HDL and ceramide before treatment (p = 0.036, r = 0.3826; p = 0.018, r = 0.4286, respectively. Conclusions: C. membranaceus uses the ceramide pathway by modulating the SphK1/SphK2 ratio and increasing SPL to generate oxidative stress and consequently apoptosis