Use of Epilobium parviflorum in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Canines.

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of Epilobium parviflorum (EP) as a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs based on two clinical case reports. Two dogs with BPH were treated for 2 months with EP extract. For both cases, follow-up was performed with B-mode ultrasound on Days 7, 15, 30 and 60 after starting treatment, and measurements of the length, width and height of the prostate were taken to calculate its volume (cm). A complete blood count, liver and kidney biochemistry, urinalysis and serum testosterone concentration (ng/dL) were completed at the same time points. EP was well tolerated with no side effects observed during the 60-day oral administration period. In both cases, prostate volume decreased by 40% (Case 1: 81-50 cm; Case 2: 79-44 cm) by Day 60. Serum testosterone concentration decreased by 30% for Case 1 (749-512 ng/dL) and 20% for Case 2 (220-188 ng/dL). This case report describes an alternative therapeutic method effective for treating canine BPH without apparent adverse reactions or complications.