Clinical Effects of Oral Supplementation of Gamma-Cyclodextrin Curcumin Complex in Male Patients with Moderate-To-Severe Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-Related Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) in males. Curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties which may be effective for BPH. This multi-arm observational study evaluated the real-world efficacy of QURMIN^® (Gamma-cyclodextrin-curcumin Complex-CAVACURMIN^®) as single or combination therapy for BPH. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Men with moderate-severe LUTS/BPH, receiving a 6-month supplementation with QURMIN^® alone or in combination with BPH-specific medication were propensity score matched with patients not taking curcumin and then divided into subgroups based on concomitant baseline treatment. Cohorts were compared in the 6-month variation of IPSS, quality of life (IPSS-QoL), Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) and uroflowmetry parameters. Curcumin tolerability was evaluated in terms of discontinuations and adverse effects. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The 1:1 propensity score matching resulted in a treatment-naïve (<i>n</i> = 152), an alpha-blocker only (AB) (<i>n</i> = 138) and AB + 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) (<i>n</i> = 78) subgroup. After 6 months, drug-naïve patients taking curcumin reported significant improvement in IPSS-storage (−3.9, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), IPSS-voiding (−2.0, <i>p</i> = 0.011), IPSS-total (−5.9, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), IPSS-QoL (−3.9, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), BII (−2.0, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), <i>Q</i>_max (+3.1 mL/s, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), <i>Q</i>_mean (+1.9 mL/s, <i>p</i> = 0.005), post-void residual volume (−7.7 mL, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and PSA (−0.3 ng/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.003), compared to controls. Patients taking ABs and curcumin showed improvement in IPSS-storage (−2.7, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), IPSS-voiding (−1.3, <i>p</i> = 0.033), IPSS-total (−3.5, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), IPSS-QoL (−1.1, <i>p</i> = 0.004), BII (−1.7, <i>p</i> = 0.006), <i>Q</i>_max (+1.0 mL/s, <i>p</i> = 0.006), and PSA (−0.2 ng/mL, <i>p</i> = 0.01). Patients taking curcumin and AB + 5-ARI showed improvement in IPSS-storage (−1.3, <i>p</i> = 0.007), IPSS-total (−1.6, <i>p</i> = 0.034), IPSS-QoL (−1.1, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), and BII (−2.0, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). No adverse reactions were reported for curcumin supplementation. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> QURMIN^® (CAVACURMIN^®) led to significant improvements in symptom burden, uroflow parameters, and QoL, without significant additional side effects, thus proving to be a potential new treatment for BPH, either as a single therapy or in addition to standard treatment.