Pumpkin seed extract may benefit symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia: Study
Led by Martin Leibbrand, Ph.D., at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the open, monocentric study of 60 men suffering from moderate or severe symptomatic BPH, found that 500 mg daily supplementation with the pumpkin seed extract supplement Go-Less Men, marketed by Frutarom Health, significantly reduced every BPH related symptom after four weeks of intake.
Published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, the results showed that 35.7% of men reported an improvement of symptoms from 'moderate' or 'severe' to 'mild' and nocturia and post-void residual urine volume was significantly reduced.
Moran Werner Saido, product manager for Frutarom Health, said the results may have implications for the way mild to moderate cases are treated in the future.
“As the prostate grows, the urethra can become narrow causing blockage of the bladder. This may eventually induce taxing lower urinary tract symptoms, including voiding difficulties, which can adversely affect the quality of life.
"In most cases of men presenting with mild to moderate symptoms, BPH is not actively treated but monitored via annual checkups. During this phase, the use of phytotherapeutics, such as pumpkin seeds extract to support bladder function, may be opportune.”
BPH is an age-related condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged, but not cancerous and it affects half of men between 51 and 60 and up to 90% of men aged 80 and above, according to the Urology Care Foundation.
Go-Less Men is a plant extract originating from defatted pumpkin seeds of Cucurbita pepo L. ssp. pepo var. styriaca. It is manufactured using a water-ethanolic extraction solvent and a proprietary decontamination procedure (EFLA Hyperpure), resulting in an oil-free pumpkin seeds extract for increased stability, purity, and solubility, and to eliminate any rancidity. It is claimed to contain a unique combination of cucurbitin and polyphenolic compounds.
Source: Journal of Medicinal Food
doi: 10.1089/jmf.2018.0106
"Effects of an Oil-Free Hydroethanolic Pumpkin Seed Extract on Symptom Frequency and Severity in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Pilot Study in Humans"
Authors: Leibbrand. M., et al
