Background and Objective: Nocturia is considered as the most common symptom in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study aimed to determine the effects of Peganum harmala seeds in comparison with tamsulosin in alleviating symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Materials and Methods: In this single blind clinical trial study, 90 patients diagnosed with BPH and LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) based on the international prostate standard survey (IPSS), were divided into three groups. The first group received oral capsules of Peganum harmala, the second group was administered tamsulosin with oral Peganum harmala seeds while the third group received tamsulosin. All groups were evaluated after 4 weeks. The data were analyzed via SPSS 22 using descriptive, Kruskal-Wallis, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests.
Results: The results showed that the difference between mean IPSS scores was significant after the intervention (P = 0.001). The mean IPSS scores of the three groups were significantly different
(P = 0.001) (the first group 41.9± 5.3, the second group 21.0 ± 4.4 and the third group 16.5 ± 3.7). Patients in the second group had the lowest average on most indicators of IPSS but the difference was only significant in urinary frequency, nocturia and intermittency (P <0.05).
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that Peganum harmala seeds may be useful in reducing nocturia symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.