Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with BPH
BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) , a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate , can lead to obstructive and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) .
The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs ( phytotherapy ) for the treatment of LUTS associated with BPH is common .
The extract of the berry of the American saw palmetto , or dwarf palm plant , Serenoa repens ( also known by its botanical name of Sabal serrulatum ) , is one of several phytotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of BPH .
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aim ed to assess the effects of Serenoa repens in the treatment of LUTS consistent with BPH .
Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients.
BACKGROUND Controversy regarding the relative efficacy of treatments for the relief of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) . METHODS This was a 6-month double-blind r and omized equivalence study that compared the effects of a plant extract ( 320 mg Permixon ) with those of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor ( 5 mg finasteride ) in 1,098 men with moderate BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score ( IPSS ) as the primary end-point . RESULTS Both Permixon and finasteride decreased the IPSS ( -37 % and -39 % , respectively ) , improved quality of life ( by 38 and 41 % ) , and increased peak urinary flow rate ( + 25 % and + 30 % , P = 0.035 ) , with no statistical difference in the percent of responders with a 3 ml/sec improvement . Finasteride markedly decreased prostate volume ( -18 % ) and serum PSA levels ( -41 % ) ; Permixon improved symptoms with little effect on volume ( -6 % ) and no change in PSA levels . Permixon fared better than finasteride in a sexual function question naire and gave rise to less complaints of decreased libido and impotence . CONCLUSIONS Both treatments relieve the symptoms of BPH in about two-thirds of patients but , unlike finasteride , Permixon has little effect on so-called and rogen-dependent parameters . This suggests that other pathways might also be involved in the symptomatology of BPH
Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with BPH
BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) , a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate , can lead to obstructive and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) .
The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs ( phytotherapy ) for the treatment of LUTS associated with BPH is common .
The extract of the berry of the American saw palmetto , or dwarf palm plant , Serenoa repens ( also known by its botanical name of Sabal serrulatum ) , is one of several phytotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of BPH .
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aim ed to assess the effects of Serenoa repens in the treatment of LUTS consistent with BPH .