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15-Jan-2020
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Arch Hellen Med, 37(1), January-February 2020, 18-27 REVIEW Pharmaceutical and phytotherapeutic approaches to the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia P. Theodosis-Nobelos, M. Rikkou-Kalourkoti, C. Triantis |
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, age-related condition that affects men, mainly after the age of 50 years. It is the main cause of irritative symptoms, including increased frequency of urination, nocturia, urgency, hesitancy and a weak urine stream. Classic conventional medicines for the treatment of BPH include alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. In addition, the coadministration of various medicines and herbal products is a common trend. This is a review of the various pharmacological (anticholinergic, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, β3-agonists, etc.) and phytotherapeutic agents aimed at the relief of lower urinary tract symptoms in BPH. The main plant analyzed here is Serenoa repens, which is the most widely used herbal remedy for this condition. Other substances used, such as nettle, Pygeum africanum, Cucurbita pepo and lycopene are described, with particular reference to their active ingredients and their mechanism of action, and to the comparative studies of their activity with placebo or known medicinal products.
Key words: Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Pharmaceutical approach, Phytotherapeutics, Serenoa repens.
