A systematic review of herbal medicine in the clinical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The use of herbal medicine and alternative is reported to be in up 50% prescriptions for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) Europe, along with an increased global interest holistic medicinal approaches. This study aimed systematically review the published evidence investigating medicines as a treatment BPH clinical trials based on PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, Scopus databases, including English language (Jadad score ≥ 4) that investigated sole intervention, reporting at least one following outcomes: International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS); American Urological Association Index (AUASI); Maximum Urinary Flow Rate (Qmax); Post-void residual volume (PRV); (PV); Serum Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA); Quality Life (QoL) Scores. Following article screening, 28 articles were included. most frequently studied herbs isolation or combination Serenoa repens (54%), Urtica dioica (14%), Cucurbita pepo lycopene Pygeum africanum (14%) Linum usitatissimum (7%). These herbal-based formulations mostly improved symptoms associated (IPSS/AUASI, Qmax, PSA, QoL scores, PRV PV). further discusses these outcomes, focus potential mechanisms action. There are limited high quality BPH, where S. significantly more represented than other popular such C. pepo, U. dioica, P. africanum, lycopene. Although included studies broadly found positive results standardised outcomes LUTS urinary flow, there great variability designs requires caution interpretation. As supported by vivo vitro actions, comparison efficacy mono-herbal poly-herbal approaches, standardized extracts identification active constituents, well dosage long-term safety warrented.