Saw palmetto shrinks prostate tissues
in the first american randomized clinical
trial of saw palmetto (serenoa repens
[bartr.] small, arecaceae), the respected
prostate herb proved beneficial in
reducing swelling of prostate tissues in
patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia
(bph). While numerous studies have
confirmed the ability of saw palmetto
extract (spe) to reduce bph symptoms, this
is the first evidence that it actually
shrinks enlarged prostate tissues
(overmyer, 1999).
The randomized, double-blind,
placebo-controlled clinical trial involved
44 men with symptomatic prostate
enlargement who took 320 mg of saw
palmetto extract with nettle root extract
or placebo for six months (nutrilite® saw
palmetto with nettle root, nutrilite
division of amway, ada, mi). Researchers
tested the participants for the usual
clinical parameters, including
international prostate symptom score
(ipss), maximum urinary flow rate,
residual urine volume, prostate volume,
and prostate specific antigen (psa,
described below). Unlike previous
research, this study included an
ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy,
allowing the scientists to assess changes
in the participants’ prostate tissue.
Biopsies were taken at baseline and after
six months of treatment.
As with previous research, spe proved
effective (or "somewhat effective,"
according to the researchers) in reducing
overall symptom score and maximum urinary
flow. Although symptom score (ipss)
dropped in the spe group, it dropped
similarly in the placebo group (2.9 and
2.6 respectively). The urinary flow rate
increased in the spe group while declining
in the placebo group. There were no
effects on hormone levels or other blood
parameters.
The most intriguing part of this story is
that spe suppressed swelling of the
prostate epithelium, causing a contraction
in the tissues in the epithelium of the
prostate and the transitional zone.
Interestingly, spe produced this benefit
without affecting the levels of
testosterone or dihydrotestosterone, which
means that spe works by an unidentified
but non-hormonal mechanism. This is
especially good news for men because
conventional drug therapy for bph
frequently causes hormonal side effects,
including reduced sex drive and
performance. It should also be good news
for doctors, because spe did not affect
the level of psa in the blood. Psa tests
are used to detect prostate cancer, and
conventional therapy interferes with psa
testing by masking this early warning
sign.
An editorial by leonard marks, m.D.
Accompanying the research report should
provide perspective for physicians still
uncertain about herbal therapies. "saw
palmetto extract (spe) should now be
considered a treatment option for men with
symptomatic bph, absent complications of
the disorder. Spe is extremely safe; it
is likely to exert positive effects; many
patients want it; and more potent
remedies, i.E., drugs or surgery, are
generally not required in most bph cases."
marks points out that saw palmetto has
been used in europe for generations, that
its safety "has never been seriously
questioned," and with the exception of
occasional stomach upset, no side effects
have been reported. "in particular, use
of the extract has not been associated
with erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory
disturbance, or altered libido." – rob
mccaleb
