Thai Herbs “Crinum Plants – Black Ginger”: A New Alternative to Reduce the Risk of Prostate Enlargement by Chula Research Team

A research team from Chulalongkorn University has developed a new herbal-based alternative to reduce the risk of prostate enlargement, highlighting the Crinum species and Black Ginger as targeted inhibitors of disease mechanisms without affecting sexual performance. This award-winning research earned an international gold medal and created new opportunities to advance Thai herbal medicine in the global health market. 

Do you often wake up at night to urinate or spend more time than usual in the bathroom? If you are a man over 40 and answered “yes”, do not ignore these symptoms—they may be warning signs of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate enlargement. 

Although current medical treatments include medications and surgery, they have limitations such as side effects, high costs, and inability to stop the long-term degeneration of prostate cells. To address this gap, a research team from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, has developed an alternative treatment derived from two Thai herbs: Crinum species and Black Ginger. These herbs directly inhibit the mechanisms that drive prostate enlargement. The resulting research innovations have won international gold medals, demonstrating the potential of combining Thai traditional wisdom with modern scientific technology and paving the way for sustainable male health products. 

What is Prostate Enlargement? 

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. Shaped like a chestnut or walnut, it sits below the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra. Its primary function is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm as part of semen. 

Prof. Suchada Sukrong, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, explained that Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when prostate tissue cells proliferate abnormally—both in size and number—causing the prostate gland to enlarge. In some cases, the prostate may grow as large as a tennis ball or an orange. 

Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 

Prof. Dr. Suchada explained that benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is neither malignant nor cancerous. However, as the prostate enlarges, it compresses the urethra and causes urinary tract dysfunction. Common symptoms include frequent urination (especially at night), sudden urgency to urinate, urinary incontinence, difficulty starting urination, or interrupted flow. If untreated, these issues can lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or even long-term kidney damage, all of which significantly impact overall health and quality of life. 

“BPH is a common health problem among middle-aged and elderly men. Its prevalence rises with age, affecting over 80% of men aged 80 and above. Apart from aging, risk factors include hormonal imbalance, chronic inflammation, diabetes, and obesity—all of which contribute to abnormal prostate enlargement.” 

Current BPH Treatment Approaches 

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms and generally follows two main approaches:

Medication 

• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride, which help shrink the prostate. 
• Alpha-blockers such as tamsulosin, which relax muscles at the bladder neck to ease urination. 

Procedures or Surgery 

• Recommended for severe cases or when medication is ineffective. 

While treatment can relieve symptoms, BPH is a chronic condition that cannot be permanently cured and may recur in the long term. 

“Drug treatments for BPH may cause side effects such as erectile dysfunction. This inspired the search for herbal alternatives that could reduce prostate enlargement risk without affecting sexual performance,” Prof. Dr. Suchada explained. This was the starting point of research and innovation in herbal-based BPH treatment through two projects:

1. The Golden Ratio of Bioactive Compounds from Crinum species Targeting Inflammation in BPH
2. The Methoxyflavones-Enriched Extract from Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (Black Ginger) and Its Mechanisms Against BPH

Chula Research: Blending Thai Wisdom with Science 

The first project, “The Golden Ratio of Bioactive Compounds from Crinum species Targeting Inflammation in BPH,” combines traditional Thai medical knowledge with modern scientific technology. 

Prof. Dr. Suchada noted, “This innovation began with the search for effective bioactive compounds for BPH treatment, focusing on inflammation, a key driver of the disease. Currently, no drug targets this mechanism directly.” 

Guided by Thai traditional knowledge, the team identified active compounds in Crinum species (e.g., Crinum latifolium L.), long used to relieve male urinary symptoms. 

“From our study, we discovered two key compounds—lycorine and 6α-hydroxybuphanidrine. In a 1:1 weight ratio, these compounds act synergistically through a multi-targeted mechanism. They inhibit inflammation and suppress prostate cell proliferation, showing strong potential as bioactive agents for BPH management and as promising drug candidates for the future.” 

The “Golden Ratio” of Bioactive Compounds from Crinum species 

Prof. Dr. Suchada further explained that the optimal combination of the two compounds, which maximizes their synergistic effect, was termed the “Golden Ratio.”

Through prostate stromal cell studies, the team created not only an herbal remedy but also a standardized, scientifically validated formulation suitable for industrial-scale production. 

This approach provides a new therapeutic pathway for BPH, targeting inflammation rather than acting through male hormone pathways, and it represents a vital step toward developing herbal-based prototypes for commercialization. 

A petty patent has been filed, and the research is under review for publication in international journals. 

Kaempferia parviflora Wall. ex. Baker (Black Ginger): From Local Wisdom to Global Innovation 

The second innovation, “The Methoxyflavones-Enriched Extract from Kaempferia parviflora and Its Mechanisms Against BPH,” was driven by the research team led by Assoc. Prof. Pasarapa Towiwat, Ph.D., Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University.

This research builds on Thai herbal knowledge with the goal of advancing it to the global stage, focusing on men’s health problems, particularly benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is common among middle-aged and elderly men and significantly impacts quality of life. 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasarapa explained that Kaempferia parviflora (black ginger) was chosen for its richness in methoxyflavones, which inhibit the enzyme 5α-reductase.This enzyme converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a major trigger of prostate enlargement. 

“The methoxyflavones-enriched extract from black ginger shows powerful biological properties, including anti-inflammatory effects, 5α-reductase inhibition, antioxidant activity that reduces cellular damage, and improved blood circulation—all of which benefit prostate and reproductive health.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasarapa further explained that the newly developed and patented methoxyflavone extraction process significantly increases the yield of 5,7-dimethoxyflavone by more than 11.95% compared to conventional methods—producing an extract with over 12% methoxyflavone by weight. The process also employs eco-friendly solvents, ensuring an extract that is both effective and safe. 

Superior Efficacy of Black Ginger Extract Compared to Other Herbs 

Compared with conventional black ginger extracts, the enriched extract exhibited tenfold stronger inhibitory activity against prostate cell proliferation. It also showed advantages over other herbal remedies traditionally studied for prostate health, such as Saw palmetto, Pygeum africanum, or traditional Chinese herbal formulas, as the methoxyflavones in black ginger stand out with their multi-targeted mechanisms. Besides inhibiting 5α-reductase (the primary therapeutic target in treating prostate enlargement, similar to finasteride), methoxyflavones also effectively inhibit cell proliferation via the TGF-β pathway. 

“Importantly, black ginger also enhances sexual performance and promotes blood circulation—advantages over certain medications that may impair male sexual function.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasarapa added that black ginger offers safety advantages, is well-accepted in traditional medicine, and demonstrates diverse pharmacological properties, making it especially suitable for holistic health management in middle-aged and elderly men. The development of a standardized, methoxyflavones-enriched extract represents an elevation from traditional wisdom to innovative herbal health solutions with strong potential for commercialization and global competitiveness. 

Herbal Research Uplifting Thai farmers’ Economy 

“Black ginger is an economic medicinal plant that thrives in many regions of Thailand. By advancing research that elevates black ginger from a local herb to a health innovation with global potential, the demand for high-quality raw materials will increase, providing farmers with a stable income,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasarapa noted. 

Beyond health benefits, black ginger research also supports Thai farmers by improving cultivation systems, processing, and GMP-compliant quality control. Additionally, it boosts the value of black ginger many times over, opening opportunities for farmers to access lucrative nutraceutical and herbal supplement markets. 

International Recognition 

Both research projects were supported by the Science, Research, and Innovation Promotion Fund (SRF), Chulalongkorn University, and the Program Management Unit for Human Resources and Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B). 

The innovations received international acclaim, winning a Gold Medal at the 8th China (Shanghai) International Invention & Innovation Expo 2025 in Shanghai, China, and the NRCT Special Award from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). These accolades highlight the research’s strong scientific foundation, clear mechanisms of action, and industrial potential. 

The projects have also drawn interest from international investors and researchers, particularly in Europe and Asia, due to their safety profile and potential for market-ready health products. 

Vision for the Future of Thai Herbal Research 

Prof. Dr. Suchada and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasarapa shared that the research team plans to develop prototype dietary supplements or herbal medicines to reduce the risk of prostate enlargement. Further safety and efficacy studies in both animal models and clinical trials will be conducted to prepare for Thai FDA registration. 

In the longer term, the team aims to scale up production by collaborating with private-sector companies to create commercially viable products for domestic and international markets. This effort represents an important step toward positioning Thai herbal medicine on the global stage—particularly in addressing male health needs that remain unmet worldwide. 

Conclusion 

The success of these two herbal innovations from Chulalongkorn University researchers not only brings pride to Thai pharmacists but also marks a milestone in elevating Thai traditional knowledge to global recognition. 

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