The effects of a Chinese herbal medicine (VGHBPH0) on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A pilot study

Abstract

Background: The current Western medicine treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have various degrees of documented effectiveness. However, the uses of these interventions are limited to specific patient populations or have certain side effects that interfere with patient quality of life. This study evaluated the clinical effects of a Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on patients with BPH. Methods: This was a single-arm pilot study. Twenty BPH patients were enrolled, and they were required to take the investigated CHM three times a day for 8 weeks, along with their Western medicine. Patients returned to clinics as scheduled and completing international prostate symptoms scores (IPSS), aging male symptoms score, international index of erectile function, and body constitution questionnaire of traditional Chinese medicine. Uroflowmetry and sonography were also applied to evaluate the changes in urinary velocity and post-voiding residual urine volume from the baseline to the end of the study. Results: The mean IPSS total score was significantly decreased by 2.5 points after 8 weeks of treatment with the CHM (from 17.5 to 15.0, p = 0.03). The mean IPSS voiding subscore was decreased by 1.7 points (from 10.1 to 8.4, p = 0.02), and the mean incomplete emptying subscore was decreased by 0.8 points (from 2.9 to 2.1, p = 0.02), with both decreases being statistically significant. A descending trend in the post-voiding residual urine volume was also observed (from 52.9 to 30.8 mL, p = 0.07). Conclusion: This trial indicated that the add-on CHM treatment (VGHBPH0) might be a potential treatment for improving the lower urinary tract symptoms of BPH patients.

In Vivo and in Silico Assessment of Ameliorative Effects of Xylopia aethiopica on Testosterone Propionate-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…1 ). These findings are in agreement with previous reports of Yeh et al 48 who observed that histomorphology of the prostate of rats with BPH showed epithelial hyperplasia with an increase in epithelial thickness compared with the control; in contrast, with additional treatment of Yukmijihwang-tang, mild prostate epithelial hyperplasia with a reduction in epithelial thickness was observed. Our results are also in tandem with that of Emeka and Ogidigo 49 who reported that the Tp-induced BPH group showed an enlarged gland with hyperplastic cells characterized by papillary epithelial cells with vacuolated cytoplasm projecting into the glandular lumen; however, the finasteride group showed reduced hyperplasia while rats fed with Solanum macrocarpon leaves showed almost normal prostate.…”

Efficacy evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine, VGH-BPH1, for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover study

“…Previously, a single-arm pilot study was conducted to investigate the effect of VGH-BPH0. 23 In that study, VGH-BPH0 resulted in a significant improvement in IPSS total score, voiding symptoms subscore, and the severity of the symptom of “incomplete emptying” symptom; furthermore, the frequency symptom exhibited a descending trend with a value of p = 0.06. Among the 19 participants in that study, 9 participants had Yang deficiency syndrome.…”

“…22 A pilot study investigating the effect of VGH-BPH0 was performed in 2018. 23 A total of 20 patients with BPH was recruited, and 19 of them finished the study. The participants took VGH-BPH0 for 8 weeks.…”

Core prescription pattern of Chinese herbal medicine for depressive disorders in Taiwan: A nationwide population-based study

“…Moreover, several previous studies in Taiwan have shown that a combination of several formulae and single herbs could improve some diseases. 77 , 78 Therefore, the core pattern described in Fig. 2 provides a significant number of potential candidates that can be used in the future in new pharmacological/clinical trials targeting DD.…”