Is Saw Palmetto Extract Effective for BPH?

What is Pure Saw Palmetto Oil?

Wholesale Saw Palmetto Oil is a beneficial supplement isolated from the fruit (seed) of the plant Serenoa repens (Saw palmetto). Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) is a tree that can grow up to 10 feet tall with leaves in a fan-shaped arrangement. Its ripe fruit can be used as medicine.

Saw palmetto is currently promoted as a dietary supplement for the treatment of urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), as well as chronic pelvic pain, migraines, and hair loss, and other maladies.

Now, let us introduce the mechanism of action of saw palmetto extract on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in detail for your reference.

How Much Do You Know about BPH?

A recent professional review estimated that the prevalence rate of symptomatic BPH increased from 14.8% in men aged 40 years to 36.8% in men aged 80 years and older.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to a non-malignant growth of the prostate gland. Histologically, BPH is described as a proliferative process of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells. BPH is common in older men. Nearly all men have histological evidence of BPH by age 80.

The continued growth (enlargement) can cause the prostate to enlarge to the point where it compresses the urethra and restricts the flow of urine, causing urinary symptoms. However, the degree of enlarged prostate varies from person to person. Hence, not all men with histological BPH will experience significant symptoms. The most common presentation of BPH is lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), a group of clinical symptoms that includes obstructive symptoms including incontinence, urinary retention, and overflow incontinence, and irritant symptoms including frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, and urge incontinence.

What are the Mechanisms of Action of Saw Palmetto Extract on BPH?

Potential mechanisms of action of saw palmetto extract on BPH include anti-androgenic, pro-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Free fatty acids (lauric acid) can effectively inhibit 5α-reductase, and phytosterols (β-sitosterol) can reduce prostate inflammation.

★ Antiandrogenic Effects: Numerous studies have shown that saw palmetto extract can modulate androgen metabolism and/or block androgen effects, as it attenuates the androgen-induced prostate mass increase in castrated or non-castrated rodent models. More recently, however, benign prostatic hyperplasia is thought to be caused by inflammation of the prostate mediated by androgens as well as other factors including proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, the inhibition of androgen-induced prostate growth by saw palmetto extract may also be attributed to anti-inflammatory properties.

★ Pro-apoptotic Effects: Studies have also shown that saw palmetto extract treatment can inhibit prostate growth by increasing apoptosis. Saw palmetto extract inhibits cell growth by inhibiting insulin growth factor-1-induced proliferation and increasing apoptotic index [cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase] in the P69 prostate epithelial cell line. Saw palmetto extract induces apoptotic cell death in PC3 and LNCaP human prostate cancer cells via an intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

★ Anti-inflammatory Effects: Recent studies have highlighted the observation that inflammation within the prostate mediates the development and/or progression of BPH. Men with prostatitis had a significantly higher risk of urinary retention due to BPH than men without prostatitis. Chronic prostatitis is associated with larger prostate volume, more severe LUTS, and poorer response to BPH drug therapy. These findings suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of saw palmetto extract may be beneficial in the treatment of BPH symptoms.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at shaw@inhealthnature.com if you are interested in our Wholesale Saw Palmetto Oil.