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 .
BPH and inflammation: pharmacological effects of Permixon on histological and molecular inflammatory markers. Results of a double blind pilot clinical assay.
INTRODUCTION The role of infiltrating cells ( I.C. ) , commonly observed in the adenoma interstitial tissue , is unknown . We tested the hypothesis that I.C. are related with BPH progression by : phenotypically characterising these cells ; quantifying the expression of lymphokines and growth factors ; investigating the response to Permixon ( P ) in a clinical study . Permixon is a lipido sterolic extract of Serenoa repens possessing pharmacological activities and widely used in the treatment of men with BPH . MATERIAL AND METHODS A multicenter open pilot study of two parallel groups on BPH patients was carried out . They were r and omized to receive either oral Permixon ( P ) 160 mg bid for three months or to be followed for 3 weeks without any treatment before surgery ( control group C ) . Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to conform homogeneous groups , avoiding interferences of inflammatory drugs or others . Baseline clinical profile was almost identical in both groups in terms of age ( 65.7+/-5.1 vs. 67.1+/-5.8 years ) , IPSS ( 19.8+/-6.1 vs. 19.0+/-5.8 ) , prostate volume ( 64.8+/-18.9 vs. 71.5+/-29.3cc ) , Q(max ) ( 9.6+/-3.2 vs. 10.6+/-2.6 ml/s ) , and Q(L ) ( 4.0+/-1.1 vs. 3.5+/-0.7 ) . Surgery was ultimately performed on 29 patients ( 17C , 12P ) by TURP or retropubic adenomectomy . Adenoma sample s were routinely stained with HE and later prepared for immunohistochemical studies using CD3 , CD20 and CD68 antibodies . Counting of positives cells , lymphoid aggregates and foci were done using EnVision technique and the Tech Mate processor . Cytokines , growth factors and eicosanoids were determined by Elisa kits following the manufactured recommendation . RESULTS HISTOLOGICAL : A difference was observed in the number of lymphocytes B between C ( 91.4+/-44.1 ) and P treated ( 58.2+/-53.7 ) groups ( p=0.097 ) . BIOLOGICAL MARKERS : TNFalpha and IL-1beta were dramatically lower in the Permixon treated group . Other parameters did not show significant changes . CLINICAL : IPSS in the Permixon treated group was significantly reduced ( p<0.006 ) from 20.0 + 5.9 to 14.9 + 3.8 after three months of treatment . COMMENTS The BPH inflammatory hypothesis was tested in humans . Our pilot study shows a significant reduction of some inflammatory parameters in prostatic tissues of patients treated with Permixon .  These biological findings justify a pharmacological effect of this drug on the inflammatory status of the adenoma . A correlation with clinical improvement was observed
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 .