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Thursday, 29 December 2016

Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials with herbal preparations of Serenoa repens fruits in treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms : An overview.

2016 Nov 29. [Epub ahead of print]


Author information

  • 1Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.
  • 2Praxis für Diabetologie und Naturwissenschaftliche Medizin, Karl-Helfferich-Str. 9A, 67433, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.
  • 3Sachverständigenbüro für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Kurpfalzstr. 68, 67435, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.
  • 4Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany.
  • 5Consulting Herbal Medicinal Products, Brückstr.11, 69469, Weinheim, Germany.
  • 6Scientific Department, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH, Havelstr. 5, 64295, Darmstadt, Germany.
  • 7Finzelberg GmbH & Co KG, Koblenzer Str. 48-56, 56626, Andernach, Germany.
  • 8Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.

Abstract

In this review, results of randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials (RCTs) with extracts of Serenoa repens fruits at a dose of 320 mg/d for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are assessed. Of the RTCs conducted for up to 6 months, a benefit was seen in three of three RTCs with ethanolic, in eight of nine RTCs with hexane, and in one of two RTCs with CO2 extracts. Of the RTCs conducted for more than 6 months, a benefit was seen in two RTCs with hexane and in one RTC with CO2 extracts, whereas one RTC with an ethanolic, two RTCs with hexane, and one RTC with CO2 extracts did not show positive results. As LUTS are dynamic conditions with strong spontaneous fluctuation over time, the majority of patients might expect improvement of single symptoms and thus of quality of life, particularly as the extracts are well tolerated even in long-term treatment.

KEYWORDS:

Ethanolic extract; Hexane extract; Long-term treatment; Saw palmetto fruits; Systematic review