Reasons to use herbal supplements with sabal palm fruit extract (Serenoa repens) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia from internist-hypertensiologist’s perspective Review article

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disorder of men above 40 years of age (the risk of its occurrence increases with age – in the fifth decade of life is 27%, in the sixth – 51%, after 60 years of age – 69%) presenting with difficulty in urination resulting from the narrowing of the outflow as a result of the proliferation of stromal cells and epithelial cells, starting in the zone paraurethral prostate. Treatment of prostate enlargement may be pharmacological or surgical. In the pharmacological treatment used drugs that block receptor α₁-adrenergic, hormonal 5α-reductase and herbal medicines. The best-studied and most widely used of the plant medicines is an extract of Serenoa repens, obtained from the fruit saw palmetto. Extract of Serenoa repens used in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia results in an improvement in the reduction of symptoms of irritation of the urinary tract and the reduction of symptoms resulting from obstruction of urine flow. The improvement in urine flow is reflected in the improvement in urodynamics and reducing prostate volume. Additionally, there was improvement in sexual function and quality of life of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Extract of Serenoa repens has a very good safety profile, which is documented in long-term clinical trials.