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Abstract

Pharmaceuticals such as finasteride and alpha blockers are used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and are known to cause severe adverse reactions. Accordingly, a search for safer, natural products has been undertaken. Two natural agents (nutraceuticals) have come under recent scrutiny; because natural products, in general, often have evidence of long-term safety. The present study compares the in vivo effects on androgen-induced prostatic enlargement in rats of two nutraceuticals--the widely recognized Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) and the less well-known Cernitin (defined pollen extract). Non-castrated rats, had a mean prostate weight of 124 mg +/- 8.8 (S.E.M.) compared to the 24.5 mg +/- 1.9 (S.E.M.) of the castrated rat followed under the same regimen (p < 0.01). When castrated rats were given testosterone, the mass increased significantly to 250.0 mg +/- 31.7 (S.E.M.) (p < 0.01). In the five remaining groups, castrated rats receiving testosterone were given finasteride, an extract of Saw Palmetto, crushed whole berry derived from Saw Palmetto fruit, a water soluble and fat soluble extract of Cernitin or a combination of the Saw Palmetto extract and Cernitin. All treatments decreased the size of the prostate to roughly the same size as in the non-castrated rats, a size that was significantly smaller than castrated rats treated with testosterone in the same manner (p < 0.01). A second study examining non-castrated rats treated with very high doses of testosterone showed similar results. In both studies, the nutraceuticals generally decreased body weight. In conclusion, these studies show the ability of Saw Palmetto (whole berry and extract) and Cernitin to influence prostatic hyperplasia via effects on androgen metabolism.

The role of flower pollen extract in managing patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a comprehensive analysis of all published clinical trials

“…Three “in vitro models” [18–20] and three animal models [12, 21, 22] were used. All the studies demonstrated/confirmed that pollen extracts show two important pharmacological effects: anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative.…”

“…Several animal models showed that pollen extract has a possible effect on the prostate via the androgen metabolism [21]. Talpur and co-workers demonstrated that pollen extract decreased the size of the prostate in androgen-induced prostatic enlargement in rats [21].…”

“…Talpur and co-workers demonstrated that pollen extract decreased the size of the prostate in androgen-induced prostatic enlargement in rats [21]. The effect of pollen extract on prostate enlargement is due to the fact that a fraction of this compound is a powerful mitogenic inhibitor of fibroblastic and epithelial proliferation [15].…”

The effects of Cernitin® on inflammatory parameters and benign prostatic hyperplasia: An in vitro study

“…Furthermore, these clinical studies confirmed the efficacy of this drug by the relief of CP/CPPS symptoms and suppression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) (Togo et al, 2018). In addition to clinical reports, the efficacy of Cernitin® in the inhibition of proliferation and inflammation has been validated in preclinical studies (Asakawa et al, 2001;Kamijo, Sato, & Kitamura, 2001;Talpur, Echard, Bagchi, Bagchi, & Preuss, 2003). The antiinflammatory role of Cernitin® is mainly attributed to its inhibitory effect on inflammatory mediators like proinflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β (Asakawa et al, 2001).…”

Fatty Acid and Phytosterol Content of Commercial Saw Palmetto Supplements

“…Studies that have found saw palmetto administration or treatment reduced androgen action support this belief [11,12,13,14,15]; however, not all studies have found that saw palmetto inhibits 5α-reductase or has anti-androgen action [16,17,18]. The believed bioactive components of saw palmetto are fatty acids and phytosterols.…”