[Capsule (1982): 1, 2]

Evaluation of Speman in Prostatitis

Gaur, K.P., B.A.,M.S., P.C. (Darbhangar)
Medical Officer, K.N. Inter College, Muradnagar-201 206, U.P.

INTRODUCTION
Hindu medicine is as ancient as Hindu civilisation. Ayurveda, which is a part of Atharvaveda, is
considered as the fifth veda and it solely deals with medicine.

In Ayurveda there are two outstanding schools of thought:

1. Agnivesha Samhita (2500 B.C.): in which the Tridosha theory (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) was
propounded. This Samhita was re-edited by Charaka in the 2nd century and was called
Charaka Samhita. Galen was his contemporary in the West (131 to 210 A.D.). There are
several chapters in the above Samhita on Medicine and Pathology (Vikruti Vigyanam).
2. Susruta Samhita: This was written and edited by Susruta, son of the great sage Vishwamitra at
the time of Rama. He learnt Salya Tantra (major surgery) from Dhanwantari and wrote the
compendium, Susruta Samhita, which deals principally with minor and major surgery.

According to Ayurveda, enlargement of the prostate is caused by vitiated Tridosha. In order to avoid
surgery, several medicines are prescribed for its treatment.

Speman (The Himalaya Drug Co.) is a combination of such medicines which have action on
Tridoshas, and is a drug of choice for the treatment of acute prostatitis. Its ingredients have a potent
action, some of them are anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic and aphrodisiac.

COMPOSITION
Each tablet of Speman contains:

Orchis mascula 65 mg
Lactuca scariola 16 mg
Hygrophila spinosa 32 mg
Mucuna pruriens 16 mg
Exts. Parmelia perlata 16 mg
Argyreia speciosa 32 mg
Tribulus terrestris 32 mg
Leptadenia reticulata 32 mg
Suvarnavang (Mosaic gold) 16 mg

Orchis mascula: According to Dravya Gyanvigyan and Bhavprakash Nighantu, it is useful in

polyuria, general debility, chronic abdominal disorders and it increases Dhatus (Ras, Rakta, Mana,
Maid, Asthi, Mazza and Shukra).

Lactuca scariola: It is a potent diuretic and has a soothing action on the urinary bladder and stomach.

Hygrophila spinosa: Its constituents are mucilage, albuminoids, traces of alkaloid and a yellow fixed
oil. Its root is demulcent, diuretic and given in dropsy, hepatic and renal obstructions, rheumatism
and in urinary affections and also as an anti-inflammatory. The seeds are used as an aphrodisiac.
Mucuna pruriens: Its constituents are resin, tannin, fat and a trace of manganese. The seeds are
nervine tonic, emmenagogue and used in paralysis and seminal debility.

Parmelia perlata: It is an astringent, laxative, tonic, carminative, aphrodisiac and is used in

dyspepsia, amenorrhoea and calculi.

Argyreia speciosa: It is anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, and is useful for the treatment of oliguria,
rheumatism. It increases seminal vigour, vitality, controls prostatitis and haemorrhoids.

Tribulus terrestris: Its extract contains an alkaloid, resin, fat and mineral matter. It is an alterative,
diuretic, demulcent and aphrodisiac. It relieves painful and burning micturition, incontinence of
urine and increases the flow of urine.

Leptadenia reticulata: It acts on all Tridoshas and is of great value in general debility and in
involuntary seminal discharge.

Suvarnavang (Mosaic Gold): It is useful in spermatorrhoea, premature ejaculation, impotency and in

oliguria.

Speman is claimed to improve the functional efficiency of the prostate, reduce inflammation, help
void urine from the bladder and bring the prostate to its normal size.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A trial was conducted with Speman tablets in 60 cases of Prostatitis. The cases were divided into 3
treatment groups of 20 patients each.

Group A 20 cases on Speman alone.

Group B 20 cases on Speman + antibiotics + alkalisers.
Group C 20 cases on Speman + Cystone tablets.

Speman was administered 2 tablets t.i.d. in all the above groups initially and the dosage was tapered
down as the patients progressed. Group C cases concurrently received Cystone (Himalaya) 2 tablets
t.i.d. while antibiotics and alkalisers were employed along with Speman in Group B cases. Therapy
was continued for a period of 6-8 weeks in all the groups and then the results assessed.

From the Table 1, it will be seen that there was overall favourable response in 85% of cases in Group
A and in 90% of cases in Groups B and C. It may further be observed that the combination of
Speman and Cystone gave by far the best results excellent in 12 cases (60%) and good in 3 cases
(15%). Perhaps the diuretic action of Cystone proved helpful. One patient in Group B expired while
the trial was in progress.

Table 1
Group Total Excellent Good Fair Poor
A Speman only 20 8 4 5 3
B Speman + antibiotics + alkalisers 20 9 6 3 1 1*
C Speman + Cystone 20 12 3 3 2

Assessing the results of this study, Speman seems to be a drug of great promise in the management
of enlarged prostate. I feel that further studies would help establish the value of this drug which
might well open a new era in safe and effective conservative treatment of Prostatitis, without any
toxic effects whatsoever.
CONCLUSION
On making a comparative study of Speman in 60 cases of Prostatitis in 3 treatment groups, Speman
alone yielded a favourable response in 85% cases whereas in conjunction with antibiotics (Group B)
and with Cystone (Group C) the response further improved to 90%. However, the latter combination
of Speman and Cystone gave qualitatively better response and the treatment is safer as well as more
economical.

REFERENCES
1. Dymock, W. et al. Pharmacographia Indica, Part III.
2. Khory, R.N. and Katrak, N.N. Materia Medica of India and their Therapeutics, Part II.