Effect of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging study.
OBJECTIVE
To conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized and dose-ranging study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the extract of Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).


METHODS
We enrolled male volunteers (> or = 50 years) with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS; questions 1-7) > or = 5 and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value < 4 ng/mL. Volunteers were randomized into groups of placebo (n = 12), G. lucidum of 0.6 mg (n = 12), 6 mg (n = 12) or 60 mg (n = 14), administered once daily. Efficacy was measured as a change from baseline in IPSS and the peak urine flow rate (Q(max)). Prostate volume and residual urine were estimated by ultrasonography, and blood tests, including PSA levels, were measured at baseline and at the end of the treatment.


RESULTS
The overall administration was well tolerated, with no major adverse effects. Statistical significances in the magnitude of changes between the experimental groups were observed at weeks 4 and 8. No changes were observed with respect to Q(max), residual urine, prostate volume or PSA levels.


CONCLUSIONS
The extract of G. lucidum was well tolerated and an improvement in IPSS was observed. The recommended dose of the extract of G. lucidum is 6 mg in men with LUTS.
Noguchi
Masanori
M
Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan. noguchi@med.kurume-u.ac.jp
Kakuma
Tatsuyuki
T
Tomiyasu
Katsuro
K
Kurita
Yoshiko
Y
Kukihara
Hiroko
H
Konishi
Fumiko
F
Kumamoto
Shoichiro
S
Shimizu
Kuniyoshi
K
Kondo
Ryuichiro
R
Matsuoka
Kei
K
D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020940:Reishi; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000188:drug therapy*
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen