Scientific name

Serenoa repens, sin. Sabal serrulata

Family

Palmaceae

Origin

America (Florida), where it grows on the edge of pine forests and on the semi-sandy dunes from Carolina to California, in a sunny position. The plant was used by Florida Indians to treat numerous urological disorders.

Synonyms

Dwarf palm (palmetto)

Used Parts

The drug consists of dried ripe fruits (globose berries of blue-black color when ripe).

Chemical constituents

• Fatty acids, among which we find oleic, lauric, myristic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, caprylic and capric acid, for 2/3 in free form and for 1/3 esterified;
• Steroids, including β-sitosterol, β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, campestrol and stigmasterol;
• Flavonoids;
• Water soluble polysaccharides;
• Essential oil;
• Triglycerides;
• triterpenes;
• Anthranilic acid.

Serenoa Repens in Herbalist: Property of Serenoa Repens

Serenoa is a phytotherapy used in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy; the extracts have indeed demonstrated a peripheral anti-androgen effect, due to their interaction on testosterone metabolism in the prostate, and an inhibitory effect on lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase with consequent anti-inflammatory action.

Biological activity

Serenoa repens is a plant widely used to treat symptoms associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy (or BPH).

The efficacy of the serenoa has been demonstrated and confirmed by several studies, so that its use in this field has been officially approved.

Serenoa is a valid and effective remedy, so much so that its lipid-sterol extract is the active ingredient of a drug (Permixon ®) used precisely to counteract functional disorders linked to BPH.

The plant's lipophilic extract is able to exert its action through different mechanisms. More in detail, this extract is able to inhibit the binding of dihydrotestosterone to androgen receptors and, at the same time, it is also able to inhibit the activity of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme (type 1 and type 2) . The latter is responsible for the transformation of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, its active metabolite responsible for stimulating cellular proliferation typical of prostatic hypertrophy.

For its hormonal effects, the serenoa repens is also used against hair loss (androgenetic alopecia), for oral and topical use, just in relation to the 5-alpha reductase block.

However, these are not the only properties attributed to the serenoa. In fact, it has been shown by various studies that the serenoa - especially its lipid extract - is also able to exert an anti-inflammatory action through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase enzymes, with consequent inhibition of inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis and leukotrienes.

Furthermore, it appears that the plant extract is also endowed with an antispasmodic action, exerted through the reduction of the cellular calcium influence and the activation of a sodium / calcium ion exchange mechanism.

Serenoa repens against functional disorders associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy

As mentioned, thanks to the anti-androgenic action carried out at prostatic level by the serenoa lipid-sterol extracts, the use of this plant is an effective and valid aid in the treatment of symptoms related to benign prostatic hypertrophy.

However, it is good to remember that the plant is able to give relief only from functional disorders caused by the BPH, but is not able to reduce the size of the prostate.

However, for the treatment of the aforementioned disorders, it is generally recommended to take 1-2 grams of the drug.

Alternatively, you can use the lipophilic extract (obtained by using as a hexane extraction solvent or 90% V / V ethanol) in the amount of 320 mg per day, to be taken in a single dose, or in two divided doses over the course of the day.

Serenoa repens in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine, serenoa repens is used to treat inflammatory disorders of various organs and tissues. More in detail, the plant is used to counteract inflammation of the urinary tract, bladder, testicles and mammary glands.

Furthermore, the serenoa is used by traditional medicine as a remedy against nocturnal enuresis, cough, eczema and even as a remedy to increase libido.

The serenoa is also used in homeopathic medicine as a remedy to counteract diuresis and urinary tract inflammation.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken may differ from individual to individual, also depending on the type of preparation and the type of homeopathic dilution that must be used.

Side effects

Following use, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are possible.

Contraindications

Avoid taking serenoa repens in case of proven hypersensitivity to one or more components.

Furthermore, the use of serenoa is also contraindicated in pregnancy and during lactation.

Pharmacological Interactions

The serenoa can establish drug interactions with:

• Hormonal therapies, due to the anti-androgenic activity exerted by the plant.
• Iron . Since the tannins contained in the plant could complex the iron eventually administered concurrently, resulting in the formation and accumulation in the blood of non-absorbable and insoluble complexes that can exert negative effects on blood cells.

Warnings

Because of its phytosterol content and due to the anti-androgenic action carried out by serenoa, patients suffering from hormone-dependent tumors must absolutely seek the advice of their doctor before taking any preparation containing the plant in question.