[PHYTOTHERAPY AND NATURAL AGENTS IN SYMPTOMATIC BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pharmacology
• Herbal Medicine

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent condition in men over 50, often requiring treatment for urinary symptoms.
• While conventional therapies like alpha-blockers and 5-ARIs exist, many men seek alternative treatments, including herbal medicines.
• This review focuses on globally used herbs for symptomatic BPH, examining their laboratory and clinical evidence.

Approach:

• Systematic review of scientific literature on herbal remedies for BPH.
• Analysis of laboratory data and clinical trial results for various herbs.
• Evaluation of the evidence supporting the use of specific herbal interventions.

Key Points:

• Numerous herbs are used worldwide for symptomatic BPH, with varying degrees of scientific backing.
• Mechanisms of action for many herbal treatments remain unclear, but clinical benefits are observed.
• Serenoa repens (hexanic extract, Permixon) is highlighted as the only herbal medicine with robust clinical trial data supporting its efficacy.

Conclusions:

• Herbal medicines represent a significant alternative treatment avenue for men with symptomatic BPH.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action for most herbs used in BPH management.
• Serenoa repens demonstrates the most compelling evidence among herbal options for treating BPH symptoms.