MALE AND FEMALE DISORDERS-CLINICAL TRIALS

BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

"Herbal Medications in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BHP)," Fagelman E, Lowe FC, Urol Clin N Am, 2002;29:23-29.

Summary: Saw Palmetto Berry is the most popular phytotherapeutic agent in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.  Doses of 160 mg. of Serenoa repens twice daily have been used with some benefit.  A meta-analysis of trials with Permixon, a brand of saw palmetto berry, has shown improvement in symptoms of urine-flow rates when compared with placebo.  Pygeum africanum, which is an extract of an African plum tree, is commonly used in France and has shown benefit at 100mg./day.Cernilton is a pollen extract from several plants that are grown in Southern Sweden.  A meta-analysis of Cernilton showed modest improvement in overall urological symptoms.  In Germany, the roots of stinging nettle are used widely in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

"Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia", Ishani A, MacDonald R, wilt TJ, et al, Am J Med, December 1,2000;109:654-664.

Summary:  In a data base search, a total of 18 randomized controlled trials including 1,562 men were evaluated.  Pygeum africanum showed a moderately large improvement in the combined outcome of urologic symptoms and flow measures.  Nocturia was reduced by 19% and residual urine flow was increased by 24%.  Peak urine flow was increased by 23%.  There were minimal side effects to P. africanum.  Dose ranges of P. africanum ranged from 75-200 mg. day.

"Randomized , Placebo controlled, Double-blind Clinical trial of b-Sitosterol in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia," Berges RR, et al, Lancet, June 17, 1995;345:1529-1532.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study of 200 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, subjects were treated with 20 mg. of beta-sitosterol, 3 times per day, or placebo.  Results showed beta-sitosterol increased urine peak flow and resulted in a reduction of mean residual urinary volume.  Beta-sisterol improved symptoms and urine flow parameters.

PROSTATE CANCER, METASTASIS

"The effects of curcumin on the invasiveness of prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo," Hong JH, Ahn KS, et al, Prostatic Cancer Dis, 2006;  Samsung School of Medicine, South Korea.

Summary:  In this study involving in vitro and in vivo aspects, the effect of curcumin on prostate cancer cells DU-145)invasion, were evaluated.  In vivo results found that the group treated with curcumin had significantly fewer metastatic nodules than the unrelated group.  These results suggest that curcumin has potential as a treatment for the progression of prostate cancer, particularly the initial phase of mestasis.

"Is Lycopene Beneficial to Human Health?" Bramley PM, Phytochemistry, 2000;54;233-236.

Summary:  Lycopene is a red-colored carotenoid, of which 85% of our dietary uptake comes from tomato fruit and tomato-based products.  The intake of tomato products is inversely associated with prostate cancer risk.

In a study of 33 men with prostate cancer , one group received two15-mg. capsules of lycopene for 30 days prior to prostatectomy and showed less spread of cancer and tumor activity fell by 20%.  There were no changes in the control group.  One would have to consume 3-4 pounds of tomatoes to get this dosage. (30 mg.)

NATURAL PROGESTERONE CREAM-HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY-

Natural progesterone is derived from plant compounds that are chemically identical to the ovarian hormone.  The two most common forms of natural progesterone are oral capsules and transdermal gels.  To be of therapeutic use there should be 400 mg. of progesterone per ounce. Jonathan Wright MD treated a group of women with breast cancer for 19 years with this cream and nobody died.  This shows that natural progesterone cream protects against female cancers.  M. Taylor, Contemporary OB/GYN states that he has had excellent results with progesterone cream at 400 mg per ounce given as one-quarter (20 mg.), twice daily, starting at midcycle and stopping the day before menses, with regard to premenstrual syndrome.

BONE LOSS

"Osteoporosis Reversal, The Role of Progesterone", Lee, John R. M.D., International Clinical Nutrition Review, July 1990;10(3);383-391.

This is an office based study reviewing six year's experience with 100 postmenopausal women ranging from 38 to 83 years of age.  They were all followed clinically for at least 3 years  Natural progesterone cream was applied daily 12 days of the month .  The patients were asked to increase consumption of green leafy vegetables and also to take vitamin D 350 to 400 IU daily, vitamin C 2000 mg./day, beta-carotene 15 mg/day, calcium 1000 mg/d.  Commonly a 10 per cent increase in bone density was seen in the first year followed by an annual 3-5% increase until stabilized at the levels of health 35 year olds.

UTERINE FIBROIDS, OVARIAN CYSTS, AND FIBROCYSTIC BREAST DISEASE

"Natural Progesterone: Is Estrogen the Wrong Hormone?" Barnard, Neal M.D., Good Medicine, Spring 1994;11-13.

Summary:  This article reviews the work by Dr. John R. Lee, M.D., a family physician who discovered natural progesterone from the wild yam is effective against conditions such as osteoporosis. ....The natural progesterone is identical to progesterone in the human body.  Progesterone is the precursor of  other hormone.  Progesterone can be used in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome, uterine fibroids, urinary tract infections, and ovarian cysts and endometriosis.... The cream is usually given in doses of 2 ounces per month...Lee recommends one consume calcium from green leafy vegetables and he recommends a calcium-magnesium supplement of 300m mg. per day of calcium and 180 mg. of magnesium.  Beta-carotene at 25,000 IU, zinc at 30 to 50 mg. and 2 grams daily of vitamin C.  He also recommends 300 to 400 IU daily of vitamin D.  (This is for bone loss, but beneficial in all conditions).

CANDIDA

J Gen Microbiol 134 (Pt 11):2917-24,1988).

The anticandida effect of garlic primarily appears to be due to its ability to oxidize thiol groups present in the essential proteins, causing inactivation of enzymes and subsequent microbial growth inhibition.

Belaiche P. Treatment of vaginal infections of Candida Albicans with the essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia.  Phytotherapie vol. 15,1985).

28 pts. inserted a teatree oil suppository into the vagina every evening.  One wk. later, one pt. discontinued treatment due to vaginal burning.  30 days later, 21/28 pts. showed a complete recovery, while the remaining 7 patients who were cured had relapsed.

MASTALGIA

ARTICLE:  "Managing Cyclical Mastalgia With Absorbable Diindolymethane (DIM):  A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial," Zeligs MA, Brownstone PK, et al, JANA, 2005;8(1):10-20.

Summary:  In examining 33 female patients taken from 125 subjects who were screened for this study who had cyclical mastalgia received 240 mg.a day of DIM formula or placebo.  There was a statistically significant reduction in duration of breast pain, swelling and soreness with the use of absorbable DIM while there was no effect from placebo.