Assessment of the VEGF, bFGF, aFGF and IL8 angiogenic activity in urinary bladder carcinoma, using the mice cutaneous angiogenesis test.

Development of new blood vessels in solid tumors depends on changes in equilibrium between angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors. Overexpression of angiogenic growth factors has been shown in bladder carcinoma. The 'mice cutaneous angiogenesis test' is a good method for assessment of the total angiogenic potential of bladder cancer tissue.

Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: double-blind comparison of two doses.

The 134 patients (aged 53 to 84 years) with symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia were drawn from two medical centers in Warsaw. The patients were randomly assigned to receive two capsules of the standard dose of an urtica/pygeum preparation (300 mg of Urtica dioica root extract combined with 25 mg of Pygeum africanum bark extract) or two capsules containing half the standard dose twice daily for 8 weeks. After 28 days' treatment, urine flow, residual urine, and nycturia were significantly reduced in both treatment groups.