Saw palmetto, Serenoa repens, is a small palm, indigenous to sandy coastal lands of the southeastern United States, most commonly along the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. The fruit of the saw palmetto has been the subject of intensive research for the treatment of prostate cancer and other medical conditions. Studies of S. repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or prostate cancer, are encouraging, but consultation with a physician is recommended for treatment of any medical condition.
Prostate Gland
The prostate secretes fluid containing substances that are necessary for reproduction and that require a high concentration of androgens, or male sex hormones, in the prostatic tissues. According to a June 2004 article in "Aging Male," BPH is reported as a consequence of long-term exposure of the prostate to the male hormone 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Efficacy of Saw Palmetto
In the treatment of patients with BPH, extracts of Serenoa repens were found to be as effective as pharmaceuticals in relieving urinary symptoms due to an enlarged prostate gland. Additionally, the extract seemed to exert anti-inflammatory effects on the prostate, while not suppressing results of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test, which facilitates the early detection of prostate cancer. Other studies, such as one published in the March 2005 issue of the "International Journal of Cancer," also reported that Serenoa repens is an effective inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for production of DHT activity in the prostate, and also doesn't interfere with the secretion of PSA, thereby confirming the therapeutic advantage of Serenoa repens over other therapeutics as a treatment for BPH.
In the March 2003 issue of "American Family Physician," researchers reported that saw palmetto is "effective in reducing symptoms associated with BPH and appears to have efficacy similar to that of [pharmaceuticals], but it is better tolerated and less expensive."
Enzymatic Activity
Inhibition of enzymes necessary for the proliferation of BPH has been reported to possibly inhibit or help treat prostate cancer. A study reported in the May 2005 issue of "Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy," reported that carotenoids, natural substances that can act as antioxidants, such as lycopene found in saw palmetto, may inhibit prostate cancer. The authors concluded that low levels of carotenoids inhibit enzymatic activity and decrease the growth of human prostatic cancer cells.
Drug Interactions
There are no known pharmaceutical drug interactions with saw palmetto, and reported side effects are few and inconsequential. No data on its long-term usage are available.
Summary
Further studies of food supplementation by Serenoa repens seem warranted. Undoubtedly, an herbal supplementation with saw palmetto can alleviate symptoms of BPH and inhibit further cancerous growth of the prostate.
References
- "American Family Physician"; Saw palmetto for prostate disorders; A. Gordon; March 2003.
- "Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy"; A preliminary investigation of the enzymatic inhibition of 5alpha-reduction and growth of prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCap-FGC by natural astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto lipid extract in vitro.
- "Urology"; Intake of selected nutritional supplements by African-American men.
- "International Journal of Cancer"; Serenoa repens (Permixon) inhibits the 5alpha-reductase activity of human prostate cancer cell lines without interfering with PSA expression; F. Habib; March 2005.
- "Aging Male"; Preventing diseases of the prostate in the elderly using hormones and nutriceuticals; F. Comhaire; June 2004.
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