Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of Garcinia cambogia alone or in combination with Silodosin in the management of LUTS/BPH: A prospective randomized controlled study.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of Garcinia cambogia (hydroxy citric acid) alone or in combination with Silodosin on the clinical outcomes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS/BPH).

Methods: A prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study conducted on patients with LUTS/BPH. Eligible patients were assigned randomly to one of three groups. Group A (33 patients) received Silodosin, 8mg, once daily. Group B (35 patients) received Garcinia extract 500 mg TID. Group C (36 patients) received the combination of Silodosin, plus Garcinia extract. All participants were assessed for the changes in; the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Post-Void Residual (PVR), PV, and serum Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) levels, at the baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment.

Results: The baseline data regarding Qmax, IPSS, PVR, PV & PSA showed non-significant differences between the three groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, all groups showed a significant improvement in both Qmax & IPSS (P> 0.001) and group C showed the best improvement. The PVR was significantly reduced in all groups (P > 0.001). The PV was significantly increased in group A (P = 0.006), whereas it was significantly reduced in groups B & C (P> 0.001). The PSA showed a non-significant increase in group A (P = 0.625), while it was significantly decreased in groups B & C (P > 0.001).

Conclusions: Treatment with Garcinia extract especially in combination with Silodosin may improve the Qmax, IPSS, PVR, PV, and PSA in patients with LUTS/BPH without any clinical significant adverse effects.