Review of recent placebo-controlled trials utilizing phytotherapeutic agents for treatment of BPH.
BACKGROUND
In order to assess the efficacy of phytotherapeutic agents for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a review of recently published double-blind placebo-controlled trials was undertaken.


METHODS
Only those studies reviewed by the Other Medical Therapies Committee of the Fourth International Consultation on BPH were included.


RESULTS
These studies suggest a possible benefit for the use of phytotherapeutic preparations in the treatment of BPH.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies need to be confirmed in larger long-term placebo-controlled studies in order to ascertain the true efficacy of these agents.
Lowe
F C
FC
Department of Urology, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York 10019, USA.
Dreikorn
K
K
Borkowski
A
A
Braeckman
J
J
Denis
L
L
Ferrari
P
P
Gerber
G
G
Levin
R
R
Perrin
P
P
Senge
T
T
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008297:Male; D008613:Mepartricin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011058:Pollen; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012434:Secale
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010919:Placebos; D010936:Plant Extracts; D008613:Mepartricin