The efficacy and safety of Urtica dioica in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background: Urtica dioica is extract from the root of a stinging nettle.Materials and Methods: We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of Urtica dioica for treating Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A literature review was performed to identify all published randomized double-blind, controlled trials of Urtica dioica for the treatment of BPH. The search included the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. The reference lists of the retrieved studies were also investigated.Results: Five publications involving a total of 1128 patients were used in the analysis. Primary efficacy end points: the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) (the standardized mean difference (SMD) =-10.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) =-18.12 to -2.82, p=0.007); the peak urinary flow rate (Qmax) (SMD=4.37, 95%CI=1.55 to 7.19, p=0.002) and prostate volume (SMD=-3.63, 95%CI=-4.67 to -2.57, p＜0.00001) indicated that Urtica dioica was more effective than the placebo or controls. Safety assessments included prostatic specific antigen (PSA) (SMD=-0.08, 95%CI=-0.23 to 0.07, p=0.31) showed that PSA levels were unaffected in both groups.Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that Urtica dioica to be an effective and safe treatment for LUTS associated with BPH.Key words: Urtica dioica, lower urinary tract symptoms, benign prostatic hyperplasia, meta-analysis, Randomized controlled trial
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 1,128 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Treatment of non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: facing age-related comorbidities and drug–drug interactions
- The Efficacy of Flogofilm® in the Treatment of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis as an Adjuvant to Antibiotic Therapy: A Randomized Prospective Trial
- Inhibition of growth and contraction in human prostate stromal cells by silencing of NUAK1 and -2, and by the presumed NUAK inhibitors HTH01-015 and WZ4003
- Effectiveness and Safety of a New Nutrient Fixed Combination Containing Pollen Extract Plus Teupolioside, in the Management of LUTS in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy: A Pilot Study
- Extract from Cucurbita pepo improves BPH symptoms without affecting sexual function: a 24-month noninterventional study
- Aquablation vs. holmium laser enucleation of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a 150-patients prospective comparative multicenter study
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.