Benign prostatic hyperplasia
J Kellogg Parsons, E James Wright in The Brady Urology Manual, 2019
Serenoa repens (saw palmetto): Some data suggest clinical effectiveness in men with BPHMechanism of action unknown, but is associated histologically with induction of atrophy and epithelial contractionSaw palmetto alone does not generally affect PSA concentration; however, some ingredients in combination therapies may possess anti-androgenic activity that could potentially decrease PSACommon dose for BPH is 320 mg (lipophilic ingredients) daily.
Prostatic Hypertrophy/Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
Charles Theisler in Adjuvant Medical Care, 2023
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica): There is some limited evidence that Urtica dioica (600 mg bid) may improve some symptoms of BPH, including lower urinary tract symptoms. There is also evidence that Urtica dioica and saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) as in PRO 160/120 may be efficacious for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH. In one RCT, researchers gave individuals either stinging nettles or a placebo for eight weeks. They found a significant reduction in symptoms for people taking stinging nettles, but not those taking the placebo.14 In three other clinical trials on BPH patients, Urtica dioica, or nettle, had a better impact in reducing patients' clinical symptoms than a placebo. The results of another study showed that simultaneous consumption of higher doses of U. dioica, up to 7 gm/day, plus the medication prazosin (Minipress), compared with the consumption of prazosin alone, resulted in significant improvements in the clinical symptoms of BPH.15,16,17
Catalog of Herbs
James A. Duke in Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, 2018
Fruits have been used as a folk remedy for tumors.4 Morton50 quotes some of the herbalist’s claims: “Palmetto Berries are of great service in cold in the head, irritated mucous membrane of the throat, nose, and air passages, and in numerous other conditions . . . The reputed effect is primarily rejuvenation, . . . The fruit is a nutritive tonic, diuretic, sedative. It is highly recommended in all wasting diseases, as it has a marked effect upon all the glandular tissues, increasing flesh rapidly and building up to strength. Should be used in atrophy of testes, mammae, etc.” Unfortunately or not, Hager’s Handbook33 is almost as laudatory, stating that the herb is aphrodisiac, stimulating bladder, prostate, testicles, ovaries, and uterus. Wagner and Flachsbarth report an antiphlogistic principle.294 Indians used an infusion for stomachache and dysentery. Inner bark of the trunk poulticed onto bugbite, snakebite, and ulcers. Dried fruits believed useful for indigestion, respiratory infections, and catarrhal irritation. Used for underdeveloped breasts.33 Steinmetz27 lists the herb as aphrodisiac, diuretic, sedative, stimulant, tonic, and “one of the most nourishing medicines we have.” According to Hutchens,30 “Serenoa is of great service for colds in the head, irrated mucous membrane of the throat, nose, and air passages, and chronic bronchitis of lung, asthma. Of use in renal conditions and diabetes.” Also, suggested for epididymitis and cystitis.
A review of the treatment of male pattern hair loss
Published in Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, 2020
Katherine York, Nekma Meah, Bevin Bhoyrul, Rodney Sinclair
Serenoa Repens/Saw Palmetto is a type of palm. Extract from its berries results in competitive non selective inhibition of 5AR type I and II and less DHT uptake by the hair follicle. It also has the additional function of estrogen receptor activation which aids anagen maintenance and catagen normalization.[62] It has demonstrated efficacy in BPH[63] but few studies exist to support its efficacy in androgenetic alopecia. In a small randomized double blind placebo controlled pilot study of 10 males with AGA on oral SR, improvement was seen in 60%[62]. An open label study comparing the efficacy of finasteride 1mg to oral SR after 24 months found 38% of patients receiving SR had increased hair growth, whilst 68% of those on finasteride showed improvement.[17]In another small study, SR extract in a lotion and shampoo base were applied for three months by 34 men and 28 women, resulting in a 35% increase in hair density[64].
The influence of nutritional factors on prostate cancer incidence and aggressiveness
Published in The Aging Male, 2018
Manrique Pascual-Geler, Noelia Urquiza-Salvat, Jose Manuel Cozar, Inmaculada Robles-Fernandez, Ana Rivas, Luis Javier Martinez-Gonzalez, Francisco Manuel Ocaña-Peinado, Jose Antonio Lorente, Maria Jesus Alvarez-Cubero
In other cancer like breast cancer, the consumption of fruits and vegetables, dietary fiber intake, vitamin supplementation along with the intake of probiotic products, are the most extensively studied by a negative association to cancer risk [13]. In PCa it is clear that obesity and metabolic syndrome are important risk factors [3,4]. Based on the epidemiological studies, several dietary factors and vitamins/supplements may be associated with PCa risk and/or progression of disease [14]. Many nutrients show potential benefits in helping to slow progression and reduce recurrence, as well as complementing conventional treatment to improve quality of life [15]. Nutraceuticals and supplements, particularly antioxidants, polyphenols and soy have evidence for benefit for prevention of PCa and progression of the disease [3]. Comhaire and Mahmoud [16] suggest food supplementation with the liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens and a combination of the antioxidants selenium, lycopene and natural vitamin E, together with fish oil to prevent or delay PCa and benign prostatis hypertrophy. Trends in the published data suggest that consumption of carbohydrates, saturated, trans and ω-6 fats and certain vitamin supplements may promote PCa risk and progression [17] . Conversely, consumption of fruit, vegetables, dietary fiber and ω-3 fatty acids seem to slow the risk and progression of the disease [18], even to produce a small reduction in prostate cancer risk [19].
Over-the-counter medication availability could augment self-management of male lower urinary tract symptoms
Published in Postgraduate Medicine, 2018
Claus G. Roehrborn, Martin M. Miner, Richard Sadovsky
It should be noted that effective blinding of herbal therapies such as Serenoa repens is difficult due to the odor of the extract. However, in one of the few studies using an effective blinding approach, gelcaps containing the extract or placebo were blister packaged and the effectiveness of blinding was tested at the end of the study by asking participants to guess the treatment assigned. This double-blind, randomized, controlled study, the Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urinary Symptoms (CAMUS) trial, definitively showed that over a study duration of 72 weeks, increasing doses of Serenoa repens did not reduce the rate of LUTS more than that of placebo [80].
Related Knowledge Centers
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Extract
- Fruit
- Drupe
- Prostate Cancer
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Placebo