title: Comparison of the potency of 10 different brands of Serenoa repens extracts.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extract of Serenoa repens is the phytopharmaceutical product most often used for the treatment of urological symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Several extracts are commercially available but extraction processes vary between manufacturers and thus not all these products are equivalent in terms of active ingredient content and composition of preparations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  As there is a paucity of comparative studies, we compared the activity of different extracts of Serenoa repens widely available on the world market.
  
  
  METHODS
  Beltrax Uno, Permicaps, Permixon, Prostadyn, Prostagutt, Prostamen, Prostamol Uno, ProstaX, Urocaps and Urogutt were assayed for 5-alpha-reductase activity on 10 day fibroblasts and epithelial cells cocultures. Human fibroblast growth factor (hFGF)-induced-proliferation inhibition was also assayed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As to extract activity, differences were observed between the tested extracts, but all were able to inhibit 5-a-reductase types I and II isoenzymes (5alphaR-I and 5alphaR-II) as well as fibroblast proliferation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extract potency differs between products and so does proliferation inhibition potency. Quantitative and qualitative variations in the active ingredient are likely to account for these differences.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. francesco.scaglione@unimi.it
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Scaglione
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Lucini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Pannacci
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dugnani
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Leone
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism*; D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000592:standards; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D028024:Serenoa
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; C571812:Prostasan; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase