In Silico and In Vitro Study: COX-2 Inhibition by Ethanol Extract of Dayak Onion Bulb (Eleutherine Americana Merr) as Treatment Innovation of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Introduction: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign tumor in males, which is histopathologically known with an increase of epithelial cells and prostatic stroma. Androgens, estrogens, stroma-epithelial interactions, growth factors, and chronic inflammation play a key role in the occurrence of BPH. Chronic inflammation in BPH is characterized by excessive expression of COX-2, which will trigger the expression of Bcl-2 anti-apoptotic protein. Dayak onion (Eleutherine Americana Merr) is a typical Kalimantan plant that is known as the treatment for prostate disease. This plant contains flavonoids which can inhibit the COX-2 enzyme thus causing a reduction in the production of prostaglandin E2. Methods: This research was experimental research computationally and in vitro laboratory experimental research to determine COX-2 inhibitory activity by ethanol extracts of Dayak onion. Results and Discussion: In in silico flavonoid, it was strongly related to COX-2 receptor on the active side of TYR371. Thus, it had the potential to inhibit COX-2. COX-2 inhibitor would cause BCL-2 to be inactive so that apoptosis occurr in BPH. In the in vitro research using human whole blood assay, the Dayak Onion bulb ethanol extract had IC50 COX-2 of 40.57 ng/ml and IC50 COX-1 of 364.89 ng/ml. Therefore, the ratio of IC50 COX-2 to IC50 COX-1 was 0.11. Conclusion: Ethanol extract of Dayak onion bulb has an inhibitory activity against COX-2. Thus, it has a potential of being an innovation for BPH treatment. Patient Summary: A healthy male, age 25-35 years old (history taking, physical and laboratory examination), and not using NSAIDs for the past 2 weeks.