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 .
Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND Saw palmetto is used by over 2 million men in the United States for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and is commonly recommended as an alternative to drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration . METHODS In this double-blind trial , we r and omly assigned 225 men over the age of 49 years who had moderate-to-severe symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia to one year of treatment with saw palmetto extract  ( 160 mg twice a day ) or placebo . The primary outcome measures were changes in the scores on the American Urological Association Symptom Index ( AUASI ) and the maximal urinary flow rate . Secondary outcome measures included changes in prostate size , residual urinary volume after voiding , quality of life , laboratory values , and the rate of reported adverse effects . RESULTS There was no significant difference between the saw palmetto and placebo groups in the change in AUASI scores ( mean difference , 0.04 point ; 95 percent confidence interval , -0.93 to 1.01 ) , maximal urinary flow rate ( mean difference , 0.43 ml per minute ; 95 percent confidence interval , -0.52 to 1.38 ) , prostate size , residual volume after voiding , quality of life , or serum prostate-specific antigen levels during the one-year study . The incidence of side effects was similar in the two groups . CONCLUSIONS In this study , saw palmetto did not improve symptoms or objective measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia . ( Clinical Trials.gov number , NCT00037154 . )
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 .