Men with prostate problems and those at high risk of developing cancer of the prostate may soon be able to benefit from a herb-based medication which has shown promising results in Phase 1 trial.

The therapeutic is called Zyflamend, and researchers from the Center for Holistic Urology at Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia have said their research thus far demonstrates it has minimal toxicity and no serious side effects.

The scientists studied 23 men aged between 40 and 75 years who were diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and who took Zyflamend for 18-months, either alone or along with various dietary supplements.

The medication was found to be well-tolerated, and “since we know that men with HGPIN have an increased risk for developing prostate cancer, new strategies formulated to decrease cancer risk, prevent or delay surgery and improve quality of life, will be greatly beneficial for these men,” says Dr. Aaron E. Katz, senior author of the study.

According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 192,280 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2009, and 27,360 men will die from the disease.