Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by prostatic enlargement are a common impairing condition in men aged 50 years and older. In the management of LUTS related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), medication, particularly by α-adrenoceptor antagonists, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and phytopharmaceuticals, is considered the first-line therapy. Despite their popularity, a number of adverse effects on the cardiovascular or cognitive systems have been reported for some of the synthetic drugs. One of the promising herbal preparations for the treatment of patients suffering from LUTS related to BPH is WS PRO 160 I 120 mg, a combination of sabal fruit extract and urtica root extract. METHODS: This review of the literature summarizes clinical evidence for WS PRO 160 I 120 mg derived from four randomized placebo- or reference-controlled double-blind clinical trials including men aged 50 years and older. In all trials, symptomatic improvement was evaluated by the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) total score. RESULTS: Treatment effects of WS PRO 160 I 120 mg were shown to be superior over placebo and comparable with the 5α-reductase inhibitor finasteride or the α(1)-adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin with more favorable tolerability and safety profiles as compared with the reference drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest WS PRO 160 I 120 mg to be considered as a valid alternative in the treatment of patients with early BPH, especially with view to sexual function and a good quality of life, especially in long-term use.