Saw Palmetto, Nettle Root Combination Fights Prostate, Urinary Ailments

Saw Palmetto, Nettle Root Combination Fights Prostate, Urinary Ailments

AUSTIN, Texas--The combination of saw palmettoand nettle root effectively treated men's urinary illnesses in a new Russianprospective multicenter trial published in the World Journal of Urology(23, 2:139-146, 2005), according to a release by the American Botanical Council(ABC).

Researchers from the Institute of Urology in Moscow randomly administered afixed combination of 160 mg sabal fruit extract WS 1473 and 120 mg urtica rootextract WS 1031 (as PRO 160/120, also known as Prostagutt® forte, from WillmarSchwabe), or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks to 257 elderly, male patients withlower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.After the initial 24-week test period, the study continued with a 24-week opencontrol period during which all patients were administered PRO 160/120. Testsubjects' LUTS were assessed through questionnaire, quality of life index,uroflow and sonographic assay. Using the International Prostate Symptom Score(I-PSS), patients given PRO 160/120 exhibited a substantially higher total scorereduction after 24 weeks of double blind treatment than subjects administeredplacebo, with a tendency in the same direction after 16 weeks. Patientsrandomized to placebo showed a significant improvement in LUTS (as measured bythe I-PSS) after being switched to PRO 160/120 treatment during the controlperiod. The tolerability of PRO 160/120 was comparable to the placebo. Theresearchers concluded PRO 160/120 was clearly superior to the placebo for theamelioration of LUTS as measured by the I-PSS and added the herbal combinationis advantageous in obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms and in patientswith moderate and severe symptoms.