Prostatitis

Quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, has recently been reported to improve symptoms of NBP and PD. An uncontrolled study reported that 500 mg of quercetin twice daily for at least two weeks significantly improved symptoms in 59% of men with chronic prostatitis.³ These results were confirmed in a double-blind study, in which similar treatment with quercetin for one month improved symptoms in 67% of men with NBP or PD.⁴ Another uncontrolled study combined 1,000 mg per day of quercetin with the enzymes bromelain and papain, resulting in significant improvement of symptoms.⁴ Bromelain and papain promote absorption of quercetin and have anti-inflammatory effects as well.⁶

Quercetin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, has recently been reported to improve symptoms of NBP and PD. An uncontrolled study reported that 500 mg of quercetin twice daily for at least two weeks significantly improved symptoms in 59% of men with chronic prostatitis.⁶ These results were confirmed in a double-blind study, in which similar treatment with quercetin for one month improved symptoms in 67% of men with NBP or PD.⁷ Another uncontrolled study combined 1,000 mg per day of quercetin with the enzymes bromelain and papain, resulting in significant improvement of symptoms.⁷ Bromelain and papain promote absorption of quercetin and have anti-inflammatory effects as well.⁹

An extract of flower pollen, derived primarily from rye, may improve symptoms of chronic prostatitis and prostadynia. In a small, uncontrolled trial, men with chronic NBP or prostadynia given two tablets of flower pollen extract twice daily for up to 18 months reported complete or marked improvement in symptoms.¹⁰ In a larger, uncontrolled trial, one tablet three times daily for six months produced a favorable response in 80% of the men based on symptoms, laboratory tests, and doctor evaluations.¹¹ Men who did not respond in this study were found to have structural abnormalities of the urinary tract, suggesting that uncomplicated prostate conditions are more likely to respond to flower pollen. Additional uncontrolled studies support the effectiveness of flower pollen extract,^12,13,14 but no controlled research has been published.

Pau d’arco extract has been used traditionally for prostatitis.¹⁸ According to test tube studies, pau d’arco exerts antibacterial activity against E.coli,¹⁹ which suggests a possible mechanism for this claim. However, no scientific studies of the effectiveness of pau d’arco for preventing or treating prostatitis have been done.

In a small preliminary trial, men with chronic prostatitis or BPH were given 200 mg per day of pygeum extract for 60 days, resulting in some improvement of symptoms and laboratory evaluation of the prostate and urinary tract.²⁰ The extract used in this study was standardized to contain 14% beta-sitosterol and 0.5% n-docosanol. Other preliminary trials have also reported improvement of prostatitis symptoms with pygeum.²¹

Saw palmetto, known more for its use in BPH, has also been used historically for symptoms of prostatitis.²² According to laboratory studies, saw palmetto contains constituents that act to reduce swelling and inflammation.²³ However, there is no scientific research evaluating the effects of saw palmetto in men with prostatitis.

In healthy men, prostatic secretions contain a significant amount of zinc, which has antibacterial activity and is a key factor in the natural resistance of the male urinary tract infection.^24,25 In CBP^26,24,28,29 and NBP³⁰ these zinc levels are significantly reduced; however, it is not clear whether this indicates a predisposition to, or is the result of, prostatic infection.^26,32 Zinc supplements increased semen levels of zinc in men with NBP in one study,³⁰but not in another.²⁸ While zinc supplements have been associated with improvement of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), according to one preliminary report,³⁵ no research has examined their effectiveness for prostatitis. Nonetheless, many doctors of natural medicine recommend zinc for this condition.