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

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 CO extracts. Of the RTCs conducted for more than 6 months, a benefit was seen in two RTCs with hexane and in one RTC with CO extracts, whereas one RTC with an ethanolic, two RTCs with hexane, and one RTC with CO 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.

Terapias complementarias para el control de los síntomas del tracto urinario inferior masculino: revisión sistemática

“…En parte, la gran variabilidad en la concentración y biodisponibilidad de los componentes, dependiendo del laboratorio responsable de producir el extracto, puede explicar la dificultad para definir su efectividad (41) . Además, la falta de estandarización de las concentraciones dificulta establecer comparaciones entre ensayos clínicos (42) .…”

“…de extracto de S. palmetto, y las formas de extracto etanólico y hexano presentan mayor efectividad clínica del compuesto (42) . En ese caso, se destaca que en uno de los estudios (21) se adoptó el extracto de dióxido de carbono, cuya efectividad es menor (42) . Ninguno de los otros estudios especificó el tipo de extracto de S. palmetto evaluado (19,22,26) .…”