Kyle J. Norton
Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is defined as a condition of increased
in the number of cells of prostate gland, causing partial, or sometimes
virtually complete obstruction of the urinary tract. According to
statistic, BPH commonly starts at age of 30 and symptoms usually can not
be realized until age of 50. More than half of men between age of 60-70
are experience symptoms of BPH and only 10% are required treatment.
Epidemiological studies, linking herbal medicine in reduced risk of
benign prostate hyperplasia have produced certain positive results, but
multi centers and large sample size studies are necessary to identify the
principle ingredients to improve their validations.
1. Serenoa repens (Saw palmetto)
Saw Palmetto, is a small palm like tree of the genus in the genus Serenoa, belonging to the family
, native to
o southeastern North America. The herb has been used in The
North American Seminole Indians for infertility, PMS, reproductive or
urinary tract problems, urinary tract infections, stomach aches,
indigestion and dysentery, etc. In rat study, a liposterolic extract of
saw palmetto showed to inhibited the contractions of prostate gland
consistently with smooth muscle relaxant activity(1). In a total of 297 patients recruited, with 87 into the group TAM, 97 into the
group SR and 81 into the group tamsulosin (TAM) +
Serenoa repens
(SR), SR and TAM treatment of BPH had showed to be efficacy as in
alone, a combined therapy (TAM + SR) does not provide extra
benefits(2). On the mRNA gene expression profiles of two representative
models of
BPH, BPH1 cell line and primary stromal cells derived from
BPH, lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens
(LSESr) significantly altered gene expression patterns, categorized as
part of proliferative, apoptotic, and inflammatory pathways(3). Unfortunately, a
meta-analysis of two high quality long-term trials (n = 582), conducted
by the, showed no effect of Sere noa repens, at double and triple
doses, in improving urinary flow measures or prostate size in men with
lower urinary tract symptoms consistent with BPH(4).
2. Cuban royal palm
Cuban royal palm is a genus Roystonea, belonging to the family
Arecoideae, native to southern Florida, Mexico and parts of Central America and the northern
Caribbean. The roots of the tree has been used as a diuretic, and for treatment of diabetes. In rat study,
D-004, a lipid extract from Cuban royal palm fruits incomparison of Saw palmetto and tamsulosin, a
selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist, indicated that D-004 was moderately more effective
than Saw palmetto, a phytotherapeutic standard used to treat BPH, but less effective than tamsulosin, a
selective alpha(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist(5).
Other study of the same by the Center of Natural Products from the National Center for Scientific
Research, showed that oral administration of D-004 for 14 days prevented the
increase of prostate size and the testosterone-induced prostate enlargement with in rodents(6)(7).
3. Prunus africana
Prunus africana. also known as
Red Stinkwood, is a an evergreen tree, genus Prunus, belonging to the family Rosaceae,
native to the montane regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. The herb has been
used in traditional medicine to treat fevers, malaria, wound dressing,
arrow poison, stomach pain, purgative,
kidney disease, appetite stimulant, gonorrhoea, and insanity(8).
Pygeum africanum extract, in a multicentre trial in central Europe,
treatment found to be effective in changes in subjective scores,
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and QoL, after the two-month
period the extract also was highly statistically significant with mean improvements of
40% and 31% and with the overall result of a substantial improvement in
QoL(9)(10). Although many evidences suggested that P. africanum modestly
and significantly,
improved urologic symptoms and flow measures, further research is needed
using standardized preparations of P. africanum to determine its
long-term effectiveness and ability to prevent complications associated
with
benign prostatic hyperplasia(11).
4. Green tea
Green
tea contains more amount of antioxidants than any drinks or food with
the same volume, and is the leaves of Camellia sinensis, undergone
minimal oxidation during processing, originated from China. Green tea
has been a precious drink in traditional Chinese culture and used
exceptional in socialization for more than 4000 thousand years. Because
of their health benefits, they have been cultivated for commercial
purposes all over the world. The levels or activity of androgen hormones are associated to the risk of BPH,
green tea
catechin, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, exhibited its modulation of
androgenic activity that may be useful for the treatment of various
hormone-related abnormalities, such as
benign prostatic hyperplasia(12). 5 alpha-reductase activity may be involved in the development of
benign prostatic hyperplasia. The Ben May Institute for Cancer Research, and The Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research study showed
that green tea
catechin (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is potent
inhibition in cell-free and in replacement of the gallate ester in EGCG
with
long-chain fatty acids produced potent 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors(13). The study by the Oregon State University, also showed that in the study
of male noble rats implanted with estradiol and testosterone divided into 4 dietary groups: control, soy,
tea, or soy+
tea, the combinartion of soy and tea attenuated prostate malignancy by decreasing prostate hyperplasia(14). Also, green tea
catechin, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, according to Dr. Liao S., may
be useful for the treatment of various hormone-related abnormalities,
such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, due to its modulation of androgenic activity, possibly through increasing in testosterone metabolism, down-regulation of androgen receptors or
activation of oestrogen receptors (15).
5. Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
also known as sweetwood, is the genus Glycyrrhiza, belonging to the
family Fabaceae, native to the Mediterranean and certain areas of Asia.
The herb has been used in traditional medicine to treat skin
diseases, coughs, constipation, bronchitis, inflammation, arthritis,
etc.
Glycyrrhiza glabra extract with
doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg showed a significant reduction in prostate
weight, total estosterone and VP epithelium/stroma ratio (V/V)(16).
6. Garlic
Garlic is a natural superfood healer for its
natural antibiotic with
antiviral, antifungal, anticoagulant and antiseptic properties. A
multicenter case-control study of 1369 patients with BPH and 1451
controls, indicated an inverse association of intake of garlic related
to the risk of BPH, consistent across age strata(17). Other researchers
suggested that garlic potential in treating BPH due to its
anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant effects as well as its
effectiveness for the treatment of prostate cancer and relief of BPH
symptoms(18).
7. Epilobium parviflorum
Epilobium parviflorum also known as Smallflower Hairy Willowherb, is a genus Epilobium, belonging to the family
Onagraceae. The herb has been used in traditional medicine as an antioxidant and
antiinflammatory agent and in treating BPH, bladder and kidney, etc.
According to the study by Farmakognózia Intézet, willow-herb possess
remarkable antioxidant and COX-inhibitory action and may be effective in
treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (
BPH)(19). Other study suggested a protective effect against benign prostatic hyperplasia (
BPH), through inhibited oxidative damage, generated in fibroblast cells, decreased the PGE(2) release and inhibited COX-enzyme(20).
8. Urtica dioica
Sting Nettle is a flower plant in the genus Urtica, belonging tothe
family Urticaceae, native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North
America.The herb has been used in traditional medicine as diuretic and
laxative agent and to treat diarrhea and urinary disorders, to relieve
pain, treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.
In a 6-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, partial
crossover, comparative trial with placebo in 620 patients conducted by
Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,
Urtica dioica showed to improve International
Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax),
postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) and prostate size(21). Composition
of 160 mg sabal fruit extract WS 1473 and 120 mg
urtica root extract WS 1031 per capsule (PRO 160/120) found to improve the amelioration of LUTS as
measured by the I-PSS, obstructive and
irritative urinary symptoms and in patients with moderate and severe
symptoms of BPH(22)(23). Bazoton uno (459 mg dry extract of stinging
nettle roots), in a study of a total of 246 patients, reduced irritative symptoms and BPS-associated complications due to the
postulated antiphlogistic and antiproliferative effects(24).
9. Ginseng
Ginseng is a slow-growing perennial plants with fleshy roots, the genus
Panax, belonging to the family Araliaceae. Depending to the climate
where it grows, ginseng can be classified mainly into Panax ginseng
Asian ginseng (root), Red ginseng, wild ginseng, American ginseng
(root). Ginseng, one of the most popular herb has been used in human
history in treating vary types of diseases.
Panax ginseng
or Red ginseng water extract and its chemical constituent 20(S)-Rg3
showed to inhibit testosterone-induced cell proliferation, arrested cell
cycle by inducing p21 and p27, and induced apoptosis, through
inhibition of testosterone-induced expression of human kallikrein-3 mRNA
and activation of androgen receptor (AR)(25).
10. Rye (Secale cereal)
Rye (Secale cereal) is a grass in the genus Secale, belonging to the family Poaceae, native to the central and eastern Turkey, and in adjacent areas. The herb has been used
in folk medicine as laxative due to its fibrous seed coat. Cernilton, isolated
from the rye-grass pollen Secale cereal, in randomized controlled trials or controlled clinical trials
comparing with placebo or other BPH medications in men with BPH showed a modestly
improves overall urologic symptoms including nocturia(26). In a 444 men enrolled in 2
placebo-controlled and 2 comparative trials lasting from 12 to 24 weeks, conducted by Department
of Veterans Affairs Coordinating Center, Cernilton improved "self rated urinary symptoms", reduced
nocturia, but not improve urinary flow rates, residual volume or prostate size compared to placebo or
the comparative study agents(27).
Taken altogether, without going into reviews, herbal medicine mentioned above may be effective in
reduced risk and treatment of Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH), but further studies are necessary to
identify the
principle ingredients through comparison with Western medicine in use with large sample size and
multi centers involvement. As always, all articles written by Kyle J. Norton are for information &
education only, please consult your Doctor & Related field specialist before applying
Ovarian Cysts And PCOS Elimination
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References
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