Serenoa repens, known as saw palmetto, is a common herbal treatment in the United States for benign prostatic hyperplasia, according to an article published in the February 9, 2006, issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine." BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes urinary problems in some men. The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions men with BPH symptoms to see a doctor and rule out prostate cancer before using saw palmetto.
Components for BPH Therapy
Saw palmetto fruits are an excellent source of fatty acids and phytosterols that promote urination and decrease inflammation, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. These chemical components may be helpful for treating symptoms of BPH. Saw palmetto fatty acids include caprylic, lauric and stearic acid, while phytosterols, or plant sterols, include beta-sitosterol, campesterol and lupenone.
Beta-Sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol is a common plant component that occurs in high amounts in saw palmetto. It is structurally similar to cholesterol, and may be helpful for lowering cholesterol levels because it can replace cholesterol in the body. Beta-sitosterol supplements are also promoted for treating BPH, and some of these supplements combine saw palmetto with beta-sitosterol. A review of studies discussed in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" in No. 2, 2000, found that beta-sitosterols generally improved urinary symptoms in men with BPH during four placebo-controlled studies lasting four to 26 weeks. Beta-sitosterols did not reduce prostate size, however.
Mixed Results
Research results for the benefits of saw palmetto are mixed, as noted by the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A review of 13 studies published in the April 2000 issue of "Urology" examined the effects of permixon, a lipido-sterolic extract of saw palmetto. These studies included more than 2800 participants with BPH and ranged from 21 to 180 days. The review indicated significant improvement in peak urinary flow rate and a decrease in nighttime urination compared with placebo. In contrast, a study published in the February 9, 2006, issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine" did not find significant benefits for saw palmetto in treating symptoms of BPH.
Additional Components
In addition to components that may be beneficial for treating BPH, saw palmetto contains a variety of other chemical compounds. These include aliphatic alcohols, anthranilic acid, carotenes, lipase, flavonoids, glucose and tannins. Polysaccharides in saw palmetto berries may have anti-inflammatory and immune-enhancing effects, according to the UMMC.
Usage
Saw palmetto as an herbal remedy is available in berry liquid extract and tincture, liposterolic extracts, and dried extract in capsules and tablets. For best results, purchase fat-soluble extracts standardized for 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols, advises the UMMC. The recommended dosage for early-stage BPH is 160 mg of saw palmetto liposterolic extract twice per day.
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