Therapeutic Effects of Cortex Phellodendri, Epimedium brevicornu, and Earthworm on Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Mice

Background: The use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is widespread. The purpose of this study is to investigate the preliminary mechanism of Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., Cortex Phellodendri Chinesis (CPC), and Earthworm in the CP/CPPS model. Methods: Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into five groups: control, model, Epimedium brevicornu Maxim, Earthworm, and Cortex Phellodendri chinensis (CPC). To induce experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP), T2 peptide immune emulsion was subcutaneously injected into all groups except the control group on days 0 and 14 to induce experimental autoimmune prostatitis. Except for the control and model groups, all other groups were treated with Epimedium brevicornu Maxim., CPC, and earthworm after the successful induction of EAP. Results: On days 1, 28, and 56, the micturition habits and pain sensitivity of rodents in each group were evaluated. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to examine prostate inflammation, whereas enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF). The Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. group significantly reduced the number of urine spots and frequency of pain response compared to the model group. Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. group and CPC group significantly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and inflammatory lesions more than Earthworm groups. The serum levels of TNF-α were substantially reduced in the Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and CPC groups compared to the model group. Conclusion: Our findings showed that Epimedium brevicornu Maxim outperformed CPC and Earthworm for EAP treatment, which relieves urinary tract symptoms, enhances pain threshold, and lowers inflammation.