Identification of Sinigrin as Active Compound of Rape Pollen for Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Through PI3K/AKT/mTOR Axis

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common proliferative disease in older males. PuleanPian, containing rape pollen (RP), is a certified BPH medicine, but its main active compound and mechanism are unknown. This study aims to identify the main active compound of RP for the treatment of BPH. BPH rat models were induced with estradiol/testosterone (E2/T) and treated with RP or its alcohol extract (ALRP). RNA-seq and metabolomics were conducted, and RP compounds were identified via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). In vitro experiments used BPH-1 and RWPE-1 cells. E2/T induced BPH symptoms, alleviated by RP and ALRP treatment. RP possibly acts through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways, promoting autophagy. LC-MS identified five main RP compounds, with sinigrin implicated in BPH treatment via the PI3K/AKT(AKT Serine/Threonine Kinase 1)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis. Sinigrin may be the active compound in RP for BPH treatment, acting through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis.