Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Soy Isoflavones in the Intervention of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Soy Isoflavones in the Intervention of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Soy Isoflavones in the Intervention of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Ru Huang, Guanghan Zhang, Zhan Qin, Peibin Cen, Yuhan Liu, Yeping Liang, and 2 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8373435/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 8 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract To systematically evaluate the efficacy of soy isoflavones for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), framed by their novel dual-action mechanism targeting both static (anti-proliferative) and dynamic (smooth muscle relaxation) components. Following PRISMA guidelines, six clinical studies were identified from PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. A random-effects model was used to pool Mean Differences (MD). Soy isoflavones demonstrated significant, time-dependent benefits. Within-group analysis showed progressive improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), with a 48-week MD of -7.63 (95% CI: -16.88 to 1.61; P < 0.00001; I 2 = 99%). Between-group comparisons confirmed isoflavone superiority for IPSS (48-week MD=-11.90, 95% CI: -14.45 to -9.35; P < 0.00001). Critically, long-term (48-week) intervention significantly reduced prostate volume (within-group MD=-12.40, 95% CI: -17.53 to -7.27; P < 0.0001) and post-void residual volume (between-group MD=-27.60, 95% CI: -40.20 to -15.00; P < 0.0001), targeting the static component. Isoflavones also significantly improved erectile function (48-week between-group MD = 5.70, 95% CI: 3.57 to 7.83; P < 0.0001) and did not alter PSA levels. Soy isoflavones show clinically meaningful efficacy in BPH, supported by a unique dual-action mechanism. High heterogeneity observed likely reflects key biological variables, highlighting the need for personalised clinical trials to optimise this promising phytotherapeutic option. Health sciences/Medical research/Translational research Health sciences/Medical research/Preclinical research Soy Isoflavones Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Phytotherapy Equol Meta-Analysis Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO conflict of interest to disclose. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Reviewer # 2 agreed at journal 14 Apr, 2026 Review # 1 received at journal 22 Feb, 2026 Reviewer # 1 agreed at journal 06 Feb, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 06 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 04 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 04 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 17 Dec, 2025 Unknown event 16 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8373435","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":586975186,"identity":"e1413d86-53f8-45a2-87d3-c32acc1050fc","order_by":0,"name":"Ru 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Following PRISMA guidelines, six clinical studies were identified from PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. A random-effects model was used to pool Mean Differences (MD). Soy isoflavones demonstrated significant, time-dependent benefits. Within-group analysis showed progressive improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), with a 48-week MD of -7.63 (95% CI: -16.88 to 1.61; P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.00001; I\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;99%). Between-group comparisons confirmed isoflavone superiority for IPSS (48-week MD=-11.90, 95% CI: -14.45 to -9.35; P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.00001). Critically, long-term (48-week) intervention significantly reduced prostate volume (within-group MD=-12.40, 95% CI: -17.53 to -7.27; P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001) and post-void residual volume (between-group MD=-27.60, 95% CI: -40.20 to -15.00; P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001), targeting the static component. Isoflavones also significantly improved erectile function (48-week between-group MD\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;5.70, 95% CI: 3.57 to 7.83; P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.0001) and did not alter PSA levels. Soy isoflavones show clinically meaningful efficacy in BPH, supported by a unique dual-action mechanism. 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