Hong 2009.

Study characteristics
Methods	Study design: placebo‐controlled randomized trial Study dates: not available Setting: outpatient, single center, national Country: Korea
Participants	Inclusion criteria: BPH patients with an IPSS of 8 or more Exclusion criteria: any major diseases. BPH‐related treatment (5‐a‐reductase inhibitor, a‐receptor blocker, or urogenital surgery) Sample size: 62 randomized participants Age (years): Group 1 mean (SD): 52 (1.8) Group 2 mean (SD): 53.1 (4.29) IPSS score (baseline): Group 1 mean (SD): 18.3 (2.0) Group 2 mean (SD): 15.4 (2.8) Prostate size: Group 1 mean (SD): 26.1 (1.7) Group 2 mean (SD): 23.2 (2.3)
Interventions	Group 1 (n = 13): saw palmetto oil, 320 mg/day. Men took 2 capsules per day in the morning and in the evening after a meal over a 12‐month period. Group 2 (n = 7): placebo, control, sweet potato starch, 320 mg/day. Men took 2 capsules per day in the morning and in the evening after a meal over a 12‐month period. Co‐interventions: none
Outcomes	Urinary symptoms How measured: IPSS Time points measured: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months Time points reported: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months Subgroups: none Quality of life How measured: IPSS‐QoL Time points measured: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months Time points reported: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months Subgroups: none Adverse events How measured: clinical examination Time points measured: weekly Time points reported: not reported Subgroups: none Other outcomes measured in the trial: Qmax and other uroflowmetry parameters; PSA.
Notes	Funding sources: not available Declarations of interest: not available