{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,7]],"date-time":"2026-10-07T23:06:09Z","timestamp":1791414369239,"version":"4.3.3"},"reference-count":45,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,16]],"date-time":"2026-02-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1771200000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent condition affecting over 50% of men aged 60 and above, often leading to lower urinary tract symptoms that significantly impact quality of life. Current pharmacological treatments, including \u03b1-adrenergic receptor antagonists and 5\u03b1-reductase inhibitors, are associated with adverse effects, prompting the exploration of alternative therapies. This study investigates the potential role of a novel multi-component phytocomplex (PhytoBPH-Mix) comprising Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica, Epilobium angustifolium L., Protium heptaphyllum, lycopene, Vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. Methods: The anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of the mixture were evaluated in vitro. Results: The formulation significantly inhibited 5\u03b1-reductase activity, reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-\u03b1), and exhibited antibacterial effects against E. coli compared to individual extracts. Conclusions: These findings suggest that this specific mixture offers a promising natural alternative or an adjuvant for managing BPH by targeting multiple pathological mechanisms with minimal side effects and could also serve as an effective adjuvant in conventional therapy.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18040650","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,16]],"date-time":"2026-02-16T14:55:47Z","timestamp":1771253747000},"page":"650","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["A Multi-Target Phytotherapeutic Approach to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Preclinical Characterization of a PhytoBPH-Mix"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2906-6500","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chiara","family":"Amante","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-0777-2066","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Chiara","family":"De Soricellis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria Rosaria","family":"Sellitto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1237-7350","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giovanni","family":"Falcone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Luigi","family":"Luccheo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Anvest Health s.r.l., Via Rosario Livatino, 84083 Castel San Giorgio, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-4870-2060","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Gianni","family":"Luccheo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Anvest Health s.r.l., Via Rosario Livatino, 84083 Castel San Giorgio, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3852-4523","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pasquale Del","family":"Gaudio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajur.2019.10.003","article-title":"The role of the androgen receptor in prostate development and benign prostatic hyperplasia: A review","volume":"7","author":"Vickman","year":"2020","journal-title":"Asian J. 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