Abstract:
A method and composition for the treatment for bladder outlet obstruction, particularly benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a synergistic combination of  Capsicum  plants and aqueous extract from cruciferous vegetables.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and substance useful for improved bladder function. 
         [0002]    More specifically, the present invention is directed towards a method and substance for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date: part of common general knowledge, or known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
         [0004]    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common benign neoplasms in men and is a result of the prostate increasing in size, which in turn exerts pressure on the urethra. 
         [0005]    The incidence of BPH increases with age, with approximately 90% of males having histologically identifiable symptoms at age 85. 
         [0006]    One of the most common symptoms of BSA is an incomplete emptying of the bladder which will usually result in an increase in the frequency of urination. 
         [0007]    Such symptoms include intermittent urine flow, terminal dribbling, lack of ability to control urine flow, nocturia, and effort required to begin urine flow. 
         [0008]    Currently there exists a number of treatments, both medical and surgical, aimed at increasing the peak flow of urine in sufferers. Such treatments include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of the prostate (TJIP), balloon dilation, Finasteride therapy, Alpha blocker therapy or open prostatectomy. 
         [0009]    Of the above medical treatments Finasteride is one of the most commonly prescribed medications. 
         [0010]    Finasteride is an adrenergic blocker that inhibits 5-α-reductase, which can lead to a reduction in size of the prostate over time, although this is usually measured in months and is not a fast acting medication. Normal urine flow is 25 ml/sec, Finasteride typically raises peak urine flow from 10 ml/sec to 13 ml/sec over some 3 months. 
       OBJECT CF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a method decreasing the size of an enlarged prostate in a mammal. 
         [0012]    It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method of treatment of bladder outlet obstruction. 
         [0013]    More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a synergistic combination of sulforaphane and capsaicin for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction in mammals. 
         [0014]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a pharmaceutical preparation including a synergistic combination of sulforaphane and capsaicin for the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction in mammals 
         [0015]    More specifically, wherein the cause of the bladder outlet obstruction is benign prostatic hyperplasia. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least substantially ameliorate. the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art. 
         [0017]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taking in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    According to the present invention, although this should not be seen as limiting the invention in any way, there is provided a method of treatment for bladder outlet obstruction in a mammal, which includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a combination of  Capsicum  plants and aqueous extract from cruciferous vegetables. 
         [0019]    In preference, the bladder outlet obstruction is caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. 
         [0020]    In preference, the combination is a synergistic combination. 
         [0021]    In preference, the cruciferous. vegetable is broccoli. 
         [0022]    In preference, the broccoli contains sulforaphane. 
         [0023]    In preference, the ratio of broccoli extract to  Capsicum  plants is between 10:1 and 100:1 w/w. 
         [0024]    In preference, the ratio of broccoli extract to  Capsicum  plants is 25:1. 
         [0025]    In preference, the  capsicum  plants are derived from the  Capsicum annum  species. 
         [0026]    In preference, the finely powdered fruits of the  capsicum  plants are used. 
         [0027]    In preference, the fruits contain  Capsicum  vanilloids. 
         [0028]    In preference, the vanilloids are selected from the group consisting of capsaicin and vanillylamine. 
         [0029]    A further aspect of the invention resides in a composition for treating bladder outlet obstruction in a mammal, wherein the composition includes a therapeutically effective amount of a synergistic combination of  Capsicum  plants and an aqueous extract of cruciferous vegetables. 
         [0030]    In preference the treatment is applicable to a bladder outlet obstruction which is the result of benign prostatic hyperplasia. 
         [0031]    In preference, the cruciferous vegetable is broccoli. 
         [0032]    In preference, the broccoli contains sulforaphane. 
         [0033]    In preference, the ratio of broccoli extract to  Capsicum  plants is between 10:1 and 100:1 w/w. 
         [0034]    In preference, the ratio of broccoli extract to  Capsicum  plants is 25:1. 
         [0035]    In preference, the  capsicum  plants are derived from the  Capsicum annum  species. 
         [0036]    In preference, the finely powdered fruits of the  capsicum  plants are used. 
         [0037]    In preference, the fruits contain  Capsicum  vanilloids. 
         [0038]    In preference, the vanilloids are selected from the group consisting of capsaicin and vanillylamine. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Lyophilised broccoli sprouts were obtained from dark grown organic broccoli seeds that had germinated at 25° C. and were 3 days old, freeze dried and ground to a powder. In another instance (Finely ground and sieved sprouts or a commercial preparation of sprouts were cold water extracted overnight and subsequently lyophilized). 
         [0040]    Finely powdered  Capsicum annum  fruits of different varieties (pepper powders were then mixed with the lyophilized broccoli extract in various ratios ranging from 10:1 to 100:1 w/w, broccoli extract:  capsicum  plant. The embodiment used a 25:1 ratio w/w broccoli powder:  capsicum  plant 
         [0041]    Assays of the broccoli powder shows that the percentage of sulforaphane is 0.1% although more recent production has now taken this value up to 1.9%. 
         [0042]    Several early stage studies were conducted in which subjects suffering from bladder outlet obstruction as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated by swallowing capsules with a synergistic combination of broccoli powder and finely powdered  Capsicum annum  fruits as earlier specifically described. 
       Subject 1 
       [0043]    After taking the combination for 3 days the subject&#39;s peak urine flow increased dramatically. 
       Subject 2 
       [0044]    Subject experienced increased urine flow after 5 days, with nocturia being reduced from 5 times per night down to once or twice. 
       Subject 3 
       [0045]    Experienced increased urine flow rate after only 2 days. PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels fell by 18% 
       Subject 4  
       [0046]    Increased peak urine flow and nocturia down from 3-4 times per night to once or twice. 
       Subject 5 
       [0047]    Dramatic increase In peak urine flow after 24 hours of beginning treatment. 
         [0048]    Prior to treatment patient showed sighs of elevating levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA). After starting the treatment with combination of broccoli powder and finely powdered  Capsicum annum  fruits a dramatic decrease in PSA levels were observed. PSA levels halved in 3 months from beginning treatment. 
       Subject 6  
       [0049]    Experienced positive effect on urine flow, incidence of nocturia also dramatically reduced. 
       Subject 7 
       [0050]    PSA levels fell from 15.4 to 11.3 within two months of beginning treatment with the combination of broccoli powder and finely powdered  Capsicum annum  fruits. 
         [0051]    A comparison of Finasteride with the present invention is significant —  Finasteride may take approximately 3 months to raise urine flow from 10 ml/sec to 13 ml/sec. Contrast this with the present invention in which it has been observed that urine flow has similar effects in 1-3 days, a significant increase in efficacy. 
         [0052]    This then for the first time shows the dramatic effect of the synergistic combination of broccoli powder and finely powdered  Capsicum annum  fruits on benign prostatic hyperplasia and PSA. 
         [0053]    Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures can be made within the scope of the Invention, which is not to be limited to the details described herein but it is to be accorded the full scope is of the appended claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent compositions and methods.