Effect of an oil-free hydroethanolic pumpkin seed extract on symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is affecting numerous men, symptoms starting usually after the fourth decade. At an early stage of symptoms development related to BPH, pumpkin seed extracts are applied [1], [2]. Hence, the effects of a proprietary oil-free hydroethanolic pumpkin seed extract (EFLA^® 940) prepared from seeds of the Styrian oil pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo L. ssp. pepo var. styriaca (Cucurbitaceae) and extraction with 60% ethanol/water (DER_native 15 – 25:1), were investigated in a single-arm, mono-center pilot study, on the symptoms of BPH [3]. In total, 60 men (95% confidence interval (CI): 60.3–64.3 years) took part in the pilot study. The extract was ingested as a tablet prepared with common excipients once a day. Assessment of changes in International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) within the treatment period of 3 months was carried out, frequency of nocturia was recorded by bladder diary, postvoid residual urine volume was determined by ultrasound. As a major outcome of this pilot study, a significant symptom reduction of 30.1% at average was recognized for the total IPSS. According to IPSS questionnaire and bladder diary, nocturia significantly decreased over time (P < .0001) [Fig. 1]. After 12 weeks of treatment, postvoid residual urine volume was significantly reduced. After 8 and 12 weeks of intervention, the symptom alleviation also significantly (P < .001) improved QoL according to IPSS questionnaire.

The outcome of this pilot study indicates that the oil-free hydroethanolic pumpkin seed extract seems to provide significant health benefits in patients suffering from BPH related symptoms.

Fig. 1 Comparison of IPSS single question scores at timepoints 0 and 12 weeks of interference with a hydroalcoholic pumpkin seed extract.

• References

• 1 Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Community herbal monograph on Cucurbita pepo. L, semen - EMA/HMPC/136024/2010.
• 2 ESCOP Monographs, 2nd Edition Supplement 2009, Cucurbitae semen - Pumpkin Seed. Exeter: ESCOP, Stuttgart: Georg Thieme Verlag, New York: Thieme New York.; 2009
• 3 Leibbrand M, Siefer S, Schön C, Perrinjaquet-Moccetti T, Kompek A, Csernich A. et al. J Med Food advance online publication 24 April 2019 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2018.0106.