Title:Phytotherapeutic Agents for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: An Overview
VOLUME: 17 ISSUE: 14
Author(s):Meenakshi Sharma, Renu Chadha and Neelima Dhingra*
Affiliation:University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh -160014, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh -160014, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014
Keywords:Benign prostatic hyperplasia management, dihydrotestosterone, enlarged prostate, herbal remedies, phytotherapy,
testosterone.
Abstract:Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the most common condition in aging men
is the non cancerous proliferation of epithelial and stromal cells of the prostate gland and is associated
with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as frequency hesitancy urgency etc. Sources of symptoms
in patient with BPH appear to be both static and dynamic component. Better understanding of the
prostate physiology, function and pathogenesis has lead to the development of promising agents, useful
in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men.
Objective: Treatment of clinical BPH aims to improve symptoms, prevent urinary tract infections,
avoid renal insult, relief obstruction and improve bladder emptying. Many herbal formulations, or plant
derived non-nutritive compounds with protective or disease preventive properties are getting popularized
worldwide for the management of BPH, especially due to long term side effects of pharmacological
treatment and risk of mortality associated with surgical procedures. Phytotherapeutic preparations
are plant extracts with different components obtained by different extraction procedures. Numerous
mechanisms of action have been postulated for mono and combination plant extracts.
Conclusion: This article give a brief account of rationale and efficacy of various existing phytotherapeutic
agents in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia, including the herbs which hold the
potential promise are also mentioned, although much research is still required.
