title: Effects of saw palmetto extract on micturition reflex of rats and its autonomic receptor binding activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the effects of saw palmetto extract (SPE) on the rat micturition reflex and on autonomic receptors in the lower urinary tract.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of SPE was examined on cystometrograms of anesthetized rats induced by intravesical infusion of saline or 0.1% acetic acid. SHR/NDmc-cp (cp/cp) rats received repeat oral administration of SPE and nighttime urodynamic function was determined. The autonomic receptor binding activity of SPE in the rat bladder and prostate was examined by radioligand binding assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraduodenal administration of SPE (60 mg/kg) in anesthetized rat cystometry caused a significant increase in the micturition interval, micturition volume and bladder capacity during intravesical saline infusion. Also, similar administration of SPE at doses of 12 and 20 mg/kg significantly reversed the shortened micturition interval as well as the decreased micturition volume and bladder capacity due to 0.1% acetic acid infusion in a dose dependent manner. In conscious SHR/NDmc-cp (cp/cp) rats repeat oral administration of SPE (6 mg/kg daily) constantly increased the micturition interval and concomitantly decreased voiding frequency. SPE inhibited specific binding of [H]NMS ([N-methyl-H]scopolamine methyl chloride) (bladder) and [H]prazosin (prostate) with IC50 values of 46.1 and 183 microg/ml, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SPE significantly alleviates urodynamic symptoms in hyperactive rat bladders by increasing bladder capacity and subsequently prolonging the micturition interval. Our data may support the clinical efficacy of SPE for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biopharmacy and Center of Excellence Program in the 21st Century, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomomi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oki
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Yasuhiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nishioka
authors.forename: Akio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Keizo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Umegaki
authors.forename: Shizuo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001337:Autonomic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D019832:N-Methylscopolamine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012018:Reflex / Q000187:drug effects; D028024:Serenoa; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000187:drug effects; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects*; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D001337:Autonomic Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012965:Sodium Chloride; C040972:saw palmetto extract; D019342:Acetic Acid; D019832:N-Methylscopolamine; D011224:Prazosin