Abstract

EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF A UNANI FORMULATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Mohd. Tarique* and Tafseer Ali

Abstract

Background: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disease in elderly male population and administration of Phytotherapeutic agents is rapidly growing each day in the management of this urological disorder, with many herbal single and compound drugs being used for the treatment of this condition. Objectives: The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of a Unani formulation in the management of BPH which has following ingredients: Tribulus terristeris (Khar-e- khasak), Cucurbita pepo (Maghz-e-Tukhm-e-Kaddu Shireen), Matricaria recutita (Babuna), Linum usitatissimum (Alsi), Pimpinella anisum (Anisoon) and Cucumis sativa (Khyarein). These ingredients are known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic properties. Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial on fifty men with moderate BPH who underwent the evaluation at the baseline and at the end of the treatment. The symptoms were assessed by IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score), size of the prostate with abdomino- pelvic USG and flow rate of urination with uroflowmetry. Results: After 3 months treatment with Unani formulation there was a statistically significant decrease of International Prostate Symptom Score, significant decrease in the size of prostate and significant improvement of maximum flow rate in uroflowmetry without any significant adverse effect. Conclusion: based on the results treatment with Unani formulation is safe and effective in the management of mild to moderate BPH.

Keywords: BPH, Unani medicine, Phytotherapy.