Efficacy and safety of lycopene in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms

This clinical uncontrolled study evaluated the effects of daily supplementation with 1000 mg/d of lycopene, during 16 weeks, among 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). At 8 and 16 weeks of medication, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life score, prostate volume, prostatic antigen specific level, maximum urinary flow rate, postvoid residual urine volume and the incidence of adverse reactions before and after treatment were compared.

Results showed that compared with the baseline, significant improvement was observed after 8 weeks of medication in the IPSS (p < 0.01) and quality of life score (p < 0.01), and even more significant at 16 weeks in the IPSS (p < 0.01), quality of life score (p < 0.01), prostatic antigen specific level(p < 0.01), maximum urinary flow rate (p < 0.01) and postvoid residual urine volume (p < 0.01), but there was no statistically significant difference in the prostate volume before and after treatment (p > 0.05), and no adverse reactions in any of the patients.

In conclusion, Lycopene improve BPH with LUTS, and can significantly improve the patients’ quality of life without causing adverse reactions.

Li YZ, Liang WN, Zhang GW, et al. [Efficacy and Safety of Lycopene in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms]. Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2019;25(11):1001–1004.