Researchers at the Catholic University of Korea and the Korea Bio Medical Science Institute evaluated the effects of Seoritae extract (Seoritae is a type of Korean-grown back soybean) on patients with mild to moderate lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Results indicate that Seoritae extract (SE) is a safe treatment alternative that is administered for 12 weeks, and appears to significantly reduce symptoms while also improving quality of life.
The research paper, “The Effect of Seoritae Extract in Men with Mild to Moderate Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Suggestive of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,” was published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
BPH is often accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), which are frequently treated with pharmacological therapies, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery. Due to the many side effects of these therapeutic approaches, alternative medicines — especially phytotherapy — have been increasingly studied and used worldwide for the treatment of LUTS.
Seoritae has high levels of anthocyanin, a potent antioxidant. Previous studies in rats have shown Seoritae extract (SE) could help prevent BPH occurrence and progression. Here, researchers conducted a placebo-controlled study to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of SE in human patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH.
The study included 76 patients with mild to moderate LUTS suggestive of BPH that were then assigned to receive, for 12 weeks, either SE (4,200 mg or six tablets three times a day) or a placebo.
The primary outcome measure was the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), which is used to assess LUTS at the urology clinic. IPSS was evaluated at baseline, four weeks, and 12 weeks. Secondary outcome measures included postvoid residual volume (PVR), maximum urine flow rate (Qmax), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) changes from baseline.
According to the results, at 12 weeks the SE group achieved significant improvements in IPSS. Despite the lack of change in Qmax or PVR in both groups after 12 weeks, researchers believe the study’s results suggest that SE may be useful for relief of BPH symptoms, the main goal of this research.
“Administration of SE for 12 weeks led to statistically significant improvements in LUTS compared with administration of a placebo. This study suggests that SE can be concerned as a reasonable and safe alternative for men with mild to moderate LUTS who choose not to take pharmacological therapies,” they said.