Abstract
The rationale and efficacy of phytotherapeutic agents in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are continuously debated. While plant extracts are prescribed and reimbursable treatment options in Europe, they are officially classified merely as dietary supplements in the United States. The most commonly used preparations originate from the species Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, hypoxis rooperi, pinus, picea, urtica dioica, and secale cereale. Combination extracts derived from two or more plants are also used. Various components have been suggested to be active, and different mechanisms of action are being supposed. Open trials and some short-term randomized studies, suggesting safety and efficacy, have been reported. However, if stringent criteria of evidence-based medicine are applied, the data are inconclusive. Therefore, the 4th International Consultation on BPH and the recent German guidelines have not (yet) recommended phytotherapy for the management of symptomatic BPH.
Similar content being viewed by others
References and Recommended Reading
Bruskewitz R: Management of symptomatic BPH in the US: Who is treated and how? Eur Urol 1999, 36(suppl 3):7–13. Describes the current operative, instrumental, and medical management of BPH in the United States.
Chapple CR: Introduction and concluding remarks. Eur Urol 1999, 36(suppl 3):1–6.
Kurtzweil P: An FDA Guide to Dietary Supplements. US Food and Drug Administration 1999 htt://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/ fdsupp.html. Website of the US FDA with an FDA guide to dietary supplements, including current laws regulating the distribution of dietary supplements.
Lowe FC, Fagelman E: Phytotherapy in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: an update. Urology 1999, 53:671–678.
Friedland DJ, Go AS, Davoren JB, et al.: Evidence-based Medicine. A Frame Work for Clinical Practice. Stamford: Appleton & Lange; 1998. Practical guide and textbook, covering all subjects of evidence-based medicine.
Speakman MJ: Who should be treated and how? Evidence-based medicine in symptomatic BPH. Eur Urol 1999, 36(suppl 3):40–51. Description of the need and significance of evidence-based medicine for treatment decisions in men with LUTS and BPH.
Dreikorn K, Schönhöfer PS: Stellenwert von Phytotherapeutika bei der Behandlung der benignen Prostatahyperplasie (BPH). Urologe A 1995, 34:119–129.
Dreikorn K, Borkowski A, Braeckman J, et al.: Other Medical Therapies. Proceedings of the 4th International Consultation of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 1997. Edited by Denis L, Griffiths K, Khoury S, et al. Plymouth: Plymbridge Distributors; 1998:633–659. Comprehensive review about BPH with diagnostic and treatment recommendations 1997.
Buck AC: Phytotherapy for the prostate. Br J Urol 1996, 78:325–336.
Braeckmann J: The extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a multicenter open study. Curr Ther Res 1994, 55:776–785.
Lowe FC, Ku JC: Phytotherapy in treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a critical review. Urology 1996, 48:12–20.
Plosker G, Brogden RN: Serenoa repens (Permixon®)—a review of its pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Drugs Aging 1996, 9:379–395.
Bayne CW, Grant ES, Chapman K, Habib FK: Characterisation of a new co-culture model for BPH which expresses 5 alphareductase types I and II: the effects of Permixon® on DHT formation [abstract]. J Urol 1997, 157:194.
Breu W, Hagenlocher M, Redl K, et al.: Antiphlogistische wirkung eines mit hyperkritischem kohlendioxid gewonnenen sabalfrucht-extraktes. In-vitro-hemmung des cyclooxygenase- und 5-lipoxygenase-metabolismus. Drug Res 1992, 42:547–551.
Di Silverio F, D’Eramo G, Lubrano C, et al.: Evidence that Serenoa repens extract displays an antiestrogenic activity in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hypertrophy patients. Eur Urol 1992, 21:309–314.
Paubert-Braquet M, Servent N, Serikoff A, et al.: Permixon® (lipido-sterol extract of Serenoa repens-LSESr) inhibits estrogen-androgen-induced prostate enlargement in the rat. Pharmacol Res 1995, 31(suppl):31.
Paubert-Braquet M, Cousse H, Raynaud JP, Braquet P: Effect of the lipodosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon®) on the ionophore A23187-stimulated production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. 4th Int Cons on BPH, Paris 1997, Abstract 72.
Paubert-Braquet M, Raynaud JP, Braquet G, Cousse G: Permixon® (lipid sterolic extract of Serenoa repens) and some of its components inhibit b-FGF- and EGF-induced proliferation of human prostate organotypic cell lines [abstract]. J Urol 1997, 157(suppl 4):138.
Paubert-Braquet M, Raynand JP, Mencia-Huerta JM, Braquet P: Effect of the liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon®) and its major components on basic fibroblast growth factor-induced proliferation of cultures of human prostate biopsies. Eur Urol 1998, 33:340–347.
Marks LS, Tyler VE: Saw palmetto extract: newest (and oldest) treatment alternative for men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology 1999, 53:457–461.
Rhodes L, Primka RL, Berman C, et al.: Comparison of finasteride (Proscar®), a 5-a reductase inhibitor and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5-a reductase inhibition. Prostate 1993, 22:43–51.
Lowe FC, Dreikorn K, Borkowski A, et al.: Review of recent placebo-controlled trials utilizing phytotherapeutic agents for treatment of BPH. Prostate 1998, 37:187–193.
Gerber GS, Bales GT, Ghodak GW, Contreras BA: Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): effects on voiding symptoms, urodynamic parameters and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) [abstract]. J Urol 1997, 157(suppl):331.
Gerber GS, Zagaja GP, Bales GT, et al.: Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: effects on urodynamic parameters and voiding symptoms. Urology 1998, 51:1003–1007.
Descotes JL, Rambeaud JJ, Deschaseaux P, Faure G: Placebocontrolled evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of Permixon® in benign prostatic hyperplasia after exclusion of placebo responders. Clin Drug Invest 1996, 9:291–297.
Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al.: Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1089 patients. Prostate 1996, 29:231–240.
Boyle P, Gould AL, Roehrborn G: Prostate volume predicts outcome of treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with finasteride: meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials. Urology 1996, 48:398–405.
Lepor H, Williford WO, Barry MJ, et al.: The efficacy of terazosin, finasteride, or both in benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med 1996, 335:533–539.
Lowe FC, Robertson C, Roehrborn CG, et al.: Meta-analysis of clinical trials of Permixon® [abstract]. J Urol 1998, 159(suppl):257.
Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al.: Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A systematic review. JAMA 1998, 280:1604–1609. Systematic review (meta-analysis) of the evidence for the efficacy of saw palmetto in men with BPH.
Senge TH, Windeler J, Berges RR, Trampisch HJ: Wirksamkeit von β-sitosterin bei der Behandlung von BPH. Urologe A 1995, 34:130–131.
Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch H, Senge TH, and the beta-sitosterol study group: Randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 1995, 345:1529–1532.
Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B: A multicentric, placebocontrolled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Urol 1997, 80:427–432. Six-month study demonstrating dramatic improvement of b-sitosterol-treated patients compared with placebo.
Wilt TJ, MacDonald R, Ishani A: beta-Sitosterol for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. BJU Int 1999, 83:976–983. Systematic review (meta-analysis) of the evidence for the efficacy of b-sitosterol in men with BPH.
Andro MC, Riffaud JP: Pygeum Africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. A review of 25 years of published experience. Curr Ther Res 1995, 56:796–817.
Paubert-Braquet M, Cave A, Hocquemiller R, et al.: Effect of Pygeum africanum extract on A23187-stimulated production of lipoxygenase metabolites from human polymorphonuclear cells. J Lipid Mediat Cell Signal 1994, 9:285–290.
Levin RM, Riffaud, JP, Bellamy F, et al.: Effects of Tadenan® pretreatment on bladder physiology and biochemistry following partial outlet obstruction. J Urol 1996, 156:2084–2088.
Levin RM, Riffaud, JP, Bellamy F, et al.: Protective effect of Tadenan® on bladder function secondary to partial outlet obstruction. J Urol 1996, 155:1466–1470.
Fitzpatrick JM, Dreikorn K, Khoury S, et al.: The medical management of BPH with agents other than hormones or alpha-blockers. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Consultation on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Paris, June 26–27, 1991. Edited by Cockett ATK, Aso Y, Chatelain C, et al. Flushing, NY: Scientific Communication International; 1991:195–199.
Fitzpatrick JM, Dreikorn K, Khoury S, et al.: The medical management of BPH with agents other than hormones or alpha-blockers. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Consultation on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Paris, June 27–30, 1993. Edited by Cocket ATK, Aso Y, Chatelain C, et al. Jersey: Scientific Communication International; 1993:445–450.
Fitzpatrick JM, Lynch TH: Phytotherapeutic agents in the management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urol Clin North Am 1995, 22:400–412.
JM Fitzpatrick J Braeckman L Denis et al. (1996) NoChapterTitle ATK Cockett S Khoury Y Aso (Eds) The medical management of BPH with agents other than hormones or alpha-blockers ConfEventNameProceedings of the 3rd International Consultation on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) ConfEventLocationMonaco Scientific Communication International Jersey 489–494
Engelmann U, Boos G, Kres H: Therapie der benignen prostatahyperplasie mit bazoton liquidum. Urologe B 1996, 36:287–291.
Dutkiewicz S: Usefulness of Cernilton in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Int Urol Nephrol 1996, 28:49–53.
Dathe G, Schmid H: Phytotherapie der benignen prostatahyperplasie: doppelblindstudie mit extractum radicis urticae (ERU). Urologe B 1987, 27:233–226.
Habib FK, Ross M, Lewenstein A, et al.: The identification of a prostate inhibitory substance in a pollen extract. Prostate 1995, 26:133–139.
Becker H, Ebeling L: Konservative therapie der benignen prostatahyperplasie (BPH) mit cernilton. Urologe B 1988, 28:301–306.
Buck AC, Cox R, Rees RWM, et al.: Treatment of outflow tract obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia with the pollen extract Cernilton. Br J Urol 1990, 66:398–404.
Carbin BE, Larsson B, Lindahl O: Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols. Br J Urol 1990, 66:639–641.
Metzker M, Kieser M, Hölscher U: Wirksamkeit eines sabal-urtica-kombinationspräparates bei der behandlung der benignen Prostatahyperplasie (BPH). Urologe B 1996, 36:292–300.
Metzker H, Martin C: Efficacy and safety of the Sabal Urtica combination PRO 160/120 in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (a placebo-controlled doubleblind long-term clinical trial). 4th Int Cons on BPH, Paris 1997, Abstr 15.
Sökeland J, Albrecht J: Kombination aus Sabal- und urticaextrakt mit finasterid bei BPH (Stad.I bis II nach Alken). Urologe A 1997, 6:327–333.
Fitzpatrick JM: Phytotherapy for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Case not proven. Urology 1998, 53:462–464.
Denis L, McConnell J, Yoshida O, et al.: and the Members of the Committees: 4th International Consultation of BPH. Recommendations of the International Scientific Committee: the evaluation and treatment of lower urinary tract syndromes (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction. In Proceedings of the 4th International Consultation of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Edited by Denis L, Griffiths K, Khoury S, et al. Plymouth: Plymbridge Distributors; 1998:669–684. Recommendations based on a thorough review of the available literature and the global subjective opinion of recognized experts serving on focused committees.
Altwein J, Aumüller G, Berges R, Dreikorn K, et al.: Leitlinien der Deutschen Urologen zur Therapie des BPH-Syndroms. Urologe A 1999, 38:529–536. Official guidelines of the German Urologists for the treatment of symptomatic BPH.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dreikorn, K. Phytotherapeutic agents in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Curr Urol Rep 1, 103–109 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-000-0044-y
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-000-0044-y