Activity of Serenoa repens, lycopene and selenium on prostatic disease: evidences and hypotheses.
An increasing number of preclinical data, epidemiological evidences and clinical trials point to a potential role of natural compounds like herbal extracts, carotenoids and specific metals in the prevention and/or treatment of different prostate conditions, like hyperplasia, inflammation, cancer. The present article reviews some of the major and most recent findings on the therapeutic properties of three of the most widely used compounds, i.e. Serenoa repens, lycopene and selenium. Although the mechanism of action of these compounds ought to be further characterized by focused investigation, it appears that a common feature of these agents may be a dual activity on proliferative disorders as well as on inflammatory conditions at the level of the prostate gland.
Magri
Vittorio
V
Urology and Sonography Outpatient Clinic, Istituti Clinici di Perfezionamento, Milano, Italy. info@prostatite.info
Trinchieri
Alberto
A
Perletti
Gianpaolo
G
Marras
Emanuela
E
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011469:Prostatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D012643:Selenium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028024:Serenoa / Q000737:chemistry*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D012643:Selenium; D000077276:Lycopene