Metzker 1996.

Study characteristics
Methods	Study design: double‐blind, parallel‐group randomized trial Study dates: not available Setting: inpatient, single center, national Country: Germany
Participants	Inclusion criteria: BPH stage 1 to 2 according to Alken Minimum volume of urination > 150 mL Qmax 20 mL/s Exclusion criteria: Age < 50 Need for the instrumental intervention of the lower urinary tract except for single catheterization Symptomatic urinary tract infection Concomitant medication that could interfere with the evaluation of efficacy Another serious organic disease Sample size: 40 randomized participants Age (years): Group 1 mean (SD): 66.0 (52.4 to 84.0) Group 2 mean (SD): 65.1 (52.8 to 80.6) IPSS score (baseline): Group 1 mean (SD): 18.6 (15.0 to 22.2) Group 2 mean (SD): 19.0 (15.1 to 22.9) Prostate size: not available
Interventions	Group 1 (n = 20): Sabal‐Urtica (Prostagutt forte) capsule twice a day for 1 year. 1 capsule of Prostagutt forte contains: WS 1473 extract of saw palmetto fruits, 160 mg and WS 1031 dry extract of nettle root, 120 mg. Group 2 (n = 20): placebo capsule twice a day for 1 year Co‐interventions: none
Outcomes	Urinary symptoms How measured: IPSS Time points measured: day 0 and 24 and 48 weeks Time points reported: day 0 and 24 and 48 weeks Subgroups: none Quality of life How measured: AUASI Time points measured: day 0 and 24 weeks Time points reported: day 0 and 24 weeks (narrative) Subgroups: none Adverse events How measured: not reported Time points measured: day 0 and 24 weeks Time points reported: cumulative at 24 weeks (narrative) Subgroups: none Other outcomes measured in the trial: blood pressure, Qmax, residual volume
Notes	Funding sources: not available Conflicts of interest: not available After 24 weeks, all men were offered the interventional treatment (no control group).