Efficacy of pollen extract in association with group B vitamins for pain relief in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A survey of urologists' knowledge about its clinical application

Abstract

Introduction and aim of the study: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPSS) is a pathology of high prevalence in Italian male population, difficult to diagnose and to treat and with poor response to conventional therapy. Aim of this study was to review the evidence of the literature about the therapeutic effects of a plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins on symptoms resolution and amelioration of CP/CPPS patients' quality of life and to investigate the knowledge among practicing urologists about the clinical application of this product. Materials and methods: A group of 38 urologists was submitted to an investigational survey of the knowledge of the clinical applications of a plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins Results: 71% of the urologists interviewed prescribed the plant product for CBP and CP/CPPS at least one time in a month and 11% prescribed it more than 5 times; 67% had evidence of clear ameliorations in pain relief and on patient's quality of life and 47% reported that the effectiveness is comparable to NSAIDs; 39% also reported a significant effect for the improvement of the urinary symptoms of patients. No gastric or general side effects have been noticed during the administration period of this plant product. Finally, the cost of the product has always reported to be sustainable for the patients. Conclusions: From the results of this investigational survey, we can state that the plant product containing flower pollen extracts and group B vitamins is well-known and demonstrated beneficial effects on symptoms resolution and amelioration of quality of life in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.KEY WORDS: Chronic prostatitis; Chronic pelvic pain syndrome; Prostatic benign diseases; Inflammation; Pollen extracts; Group B vitamins. SummaryNo conflict of interest declared.

Effect on prostatic specific antigen by a short time treatment with a Curcuma extract: A real life experience and implications for prostate biopsy

“…In Italy, 50% of the medications used for benign prostatic hyperplasia are phytotherapies, and in Germany and other European countries, phytotherapies are first-line treatment for mild to-moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)/LUTS (16). The best-studied CAM therapies for prostate disease include dietary modification, the aforementioned Serenoa repens (Saw palmetto), Pygeum africanum, phytosterols, rye pollen extract and others, and vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin E and selenium (17)(18)(19)(20). These products may be utilized alone or in association with antibiotics (21,22) or anti-inflammatory drugs (23) exploiting in particular the rational of Serenoa's anti-inflammatory action (24).…”

<p>Chronic prostatitis: current treatment options</p>

“…Moreover, flower pollen extracts inhibit 5α-reductase after prolonged therapy and this can also contribute to the reported amelioration of LUTS reported in clinical trials. No major adverse events have been reported in the literature and this treatment is active part of daily urological practice 33,34. An RCT by Cai et al35 investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of oral administration of pollen extract in association with vitamins in CPPS.…”

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Highlighting medicinal plants toward biomolecules discovery for upcoming drugs formulation

“…In one study, urologists were introduced in a one‐ to fivefold, monthly preparation called Deprox 500®, which included a combination of flower pollen and complex of vitamin B. Of the 38 doctors, 9% did not notice any change in patients, 67% noted a significant improvement, and 47% compared the effects of this drug with the effects of Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAID) (Pirola et al, ). Another interesting study showed positive effects of cernitin pollen on sex‐hormone‐induced nonbacterial prostatitis in rats.…”