Angelica (Angelica archangelica) and Urinary support: evidence and sources

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent syndrome affecting quality of life (QoL) in 10.8% of men and 12.8% of women in Europe, impacting various aspects of daily functioning. Conventional treatments like antimuscarinic drugs show low adherence due to limited efficacy and side effects. This study explores the effects of natural supplementation with Angelica archangelica (AA) leaf extract on OAB symptoms, focusing on daytime voids, nocturia, and urgency. A pilot study with a randomized, triple-blind, controlled trial design, registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04357223), was conducted with 143 participants assigned to AA (SUP) or placebo (PLA) groups in a 1.75:1 ratio over 6 weeks. Adults aged 18-75 with specific OAB symptoms were included. Data were securely managed via the RedCap platform. OAB symptomatology was assessed following the recommended tools and scales according to the Spanish Association of Urology guidelines: A 3-day voiding diary (3-dVD) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Additionally, the IPSS total score and IPSS storage subscore were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS, R, and Python. The Wilcoxon test was used to analyze pre-to-post differences, and linear mixed model analysis for group-by-time interactions. SUP showed significant improvements in daytime voids ( p = 0.004; η 2 g = 0.07), IPSS storage subscore ( p = 0.025; η 2 g = 0.05), and QoL ( p 2 g = 0.12), while a nearly significant improvement in nocturia was observed through IPSS results ( p = 0.069; η 2 g = 0.03) compared with PLA. IPSS total score changes were clinically meaningful and higher in SUP (from 19.78 to 15.89) than in PLA (from 19.64 to 16.38). Adults with OAB syndrome significantly reduced daytime voids and IPSS storage subscore, improving QoL after AA supplementation for 6 weeks. Positive effects on nocturia were also observed. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04357223.