(Major Rtd.) George Awuku Asare (Associate Professor ( PhD, FWAPCMLS)

Research Profile or Interest (Details of Research or Major Projects Undertaken)
The Prostate Medicinal Plant Research Group (PMPRG) under my leadership for the past 5 years has conducted a series of research work with funding from the University of Ghana Office of Research and Innovative Development (ORID). Although CM has been used in Ghana over two decades, very little scientific work has been done on this plant. The PMPRG has produced significant findings on this medicinal plant. In 2011 the research group demonstrated for the first time that the plant is non-toxic and does not have adverse side effects on systemic organs such as the liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs. In 2012 our experiments using db/db mice led us to conclude that CM has the ability to lower blood glucose levels. Further studies in 2013 with spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) demonstrated that CM has the potential to reduce the development of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, this research group has produced for the first time histological evidence of CM’s shrinking effect on the prostate and reduction of blood PSA levels biochemically. Our evidence demonstrates that CM among other traditional uses specifically targets the prostate organ. Further to this, BPH animal models were constructed and the efficacy of the extracted tested alongside conventional drugs. This work has provided the first scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of the plant for the treatment of BPH. The research group is currently studying the mechanism of action of this medicinal plant at the cellular and molecular levels. At the cellular level pathways of cell cycle arrest or apoptosis with mitochondria permeability have been determined; while at the molecular level the up or down regulation and expression of prostate target genes (bax and bcl2) have been elucidated. Our human observational studies are underway with funding from ORID while a serum bank is being established for future studies.

A second anti-BPH plant SA-10007 has been identified. Its anti-proliferative effect on BPH cell lines have been demonstrated with a stronger effect than CM.  Furthermore, the IC50 is lower than that of CM. In vivo studies with SA-10007 have for the first time demonstrated apoptosis from prostate histology.

Selected Publications

1. Asare GA, Afriyie D, Ngala RA, Annan Y, Appiah AA, Musah I,  Adjei S, Bamfo KB, Sule SD, Gyan BA, Edoh DA, Ahin P. Shrinkage of Prostate and Improved Quality of Life: Management of BPH Patients with Croton membranaceus Ethanolic Root Extract. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine –Volume 2015, Article ID 365205, 10 pages
2. Afriyie, D.K., Asare, G.A., Bugyei, K., Lin, J-M., Peng, J., Hong, Z-f. (2014). Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with Croton membranaceus in an experimental animal model. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014 Sep 23. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.09.007
3. Asare, G.A., Afriyie, D., Ngala, R.A., Doku, D. (2014). Antiproliferative activity of aqueous leaf extract of Annona muricata (Linn.) on the prostate, BPH-1 cells and some target genes. Integrative Cancer Therapies – Accepted 30/07/2014
4. Afriyie, D.K., Asare, G.A., Bugyei, K., Asiedu- Gyekye, I.J., Tackie, C,R. (2014). Prostate specific targeting of the aqueous root extract of Croton membranaceus in experimental animals. Andrologia , 46: 753-760
5. Asare, G.A., Sittie, A., Bugyei, N., Gyan, B.A., Adjei, S., Addo,P.,  Wiredu, E.K., Nyarko, A.K., Otu-Nyarko, L.S., Adjei, D.N. (2011).  Acute toxicity studies of Croton Membranaceus root extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 134: 938–943.