Nutraceutical Effects of Gastrodiae elata and Coenzyme Q10 on Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Pathways in an In Vitro Gut-Prostate Axis Model.

The combined formulation of Gastrodiae elata and coenzyme Q10 showed no cytotoxic effects on intestinal epithelial cells.

• Cytotoxicity was assessed using the Caco-2 intestinal epithelial barrier model.
• The compounds were tested for intestinal tolerance prior to permeability assessment.
• No cytotoxic effects were observed at the tested concentrations, indicating safety for intestinal cells.

The combined formulation demonstrated efficient intestinal permeability across the Caco-2 model.

• A Caco-2 monolayer model was used to simulate intestinal passage.
• The permeability assessment confirmed that bioactive compounds from the formulation could traverse the intestinal epithelial barrier.
• Post-permeability fractions were subsequently applied to the prostate co-culture model to simulate physiologically relevant conditions.

After simulated intestinal passage, the combination significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the DHT-exposed prostate co-culture.

• Oxidative stress was evaluated in a prostate epithelial-stromal co-culture exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) to reproduce BPH-like cellular conditions.
• The combined formulation significantly reduced ROS levels compared to DHT-treated controls.
• Across some evaluated endpoints, the combined formulation tended to show more pronounced protective effects compared with the individual components.

The formulation significantly decreased pro-inflammatory mediators including NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the BPH-like prostate co-culture.

• Inflammatory mediators were evaluated following simulated intestinal passage of the combined formulation.
• NF-κB, TNF-α, and IL-1β were all reduced in the DHT-exposed prostate epithelial-stromal co-culture.
• The reduction in inflammatory mediators was observed after the formulation had been subjected to the intestinal permeability model, reflecting biologically relevant post-absorption conditions.

The combined formulation modulated androgen-related pathways by reducing 5-α-reductase activity and DHT levels while supporting testosterone homeostasis.

• 5-α-reductase converts testosterone to the more potent androgen DHT, which is implicated in BPH pathophysiology.
• The formulation reduced both 5-α-reductase activity and DHT concentrations in the co-culture model.
• Testosterone homeostasis was supported, indicating a selective modulation of the androgen pathway rather than broad suppression.

The combined formulation tended to show more pronounced protective effects compared with the individual components across some evaluated endpoints.

• Gastrodiae elata extract and coenzyme Q10 were also tested individually for comparison.
• The combination demonstrated superior or more pronounced effects than either single component alone on at least some measured endpoints.
• This suggests potential additive or synergistic interactions between Gastrodiae elata and coenzyme Q10.

BPH-like cellular conditions were successfully reproduced in vitro using a prostate epithelial-stromal co-culture exposed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

• The co-culture model included both prostate epithelial and stromal cells to better reflect the in vivo prostate tissue environment.
• DHT was used as the inducing agent to simulate androgen-driven BPH pathophysiology.
• Markers of proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and androgen-related pathways were all evaluated in this model.