Comparison of the Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil and Tamsulosin on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Despite a long history of drug treatment for BPH, the side effects and costs associated with current drugs have led to efforts for finding drugs with the same effectiveness and fewer side effects. Also, in recent years, the tendency to use herbal drugs in BPH treatment has increased significantly. Alphablockers are currently the most commonly used chemical drugs in the treatment of BPH, the most common of which is Tamsulosin. Although few studies have compared the role of Tamsulosin and pumpkin seeds oil in BPH patients, this study has never been done in Iran.

This is a randomized clinical trial study, which was performed on 80 male patients referred to the urology clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamadan, Iran, in 2019. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group was given pure Pumpkin Seed Oil capsules and the second group was given Tamsulosin capsules for three months. Patient follow-up was based on IPSS, PSA level, ultrasonography, and uroflowmetry.

Statistical analyzes showed a significant decrease in the mean IPSS of both groups during the three months of treatment. Side effects were observed more in the Tamsulosin group than in the pumpkin seed Oil group. Post void residue was significantly reduced in the Pumpkin Seed Oil group compared with the Tamsulosin group. The quality of life improved significantly in both groups.

It seems that consumption of pumpkin seed oil can play an important role in the treatment of BPH as the main drug to replace Tamsulosin, with same efficacy and fewer side effects, but for definitive prescription of this herbal drug, extensive and long-term studies are necessary. comprehensive and prospective studies in future.