title: Randomized double-blind controlled clinical trials with herbal preparations of Serenoa repens fruits in treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms : An overview.
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 CO2extracts. Of the RTCs conducted for more than 6 months, a benefit was seen in two RTCs with hexane and in one RTC with CO2extracts, whereas one RTC with an ethanolic, two RTCs with hexane, and one RTC with CO2extracts 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.
authors.affiliation: Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.|Praxis für Diabetologie und Naturwissenschaftliche Medizin, Karl-Helfferich-Str. 9A, 67433, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.|Sachverständigenbüro für Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Kurpfalzstr. 68, 67435, Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Germany. RainerGoerne@aol.com.
authors.forename: Rainer C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Görne
authors.affiliation: Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany.|Consulting Herbal Medicinal Products, Brückstr.11, 69469, Weinheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Tankred
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wegener
authors.affiliation: Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany.|Scientific Department, Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH, Havelstr. 5, 64295, Darmstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kelber
authors.affiliation: Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany.|Finzelberg GmbH & Co KG, Koblenzer Str. 48-56, 56626, Andernach, Germany.
authors.forename: Björn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Feistel
authors.affiliation: Working group "Efficacy and Safety" of the Kooperation Phytopharmaka GbR, Plittersdorfer Str. 218, 53173, Bonn-Bad Godesberg, Germany.|Institut für Pharmazie und Molekulare Biotechnologie, Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reichling
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D028024:Serenoa; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Ethanolic extract; Hexane extract; Long-term treatment; Saw palmetto fruits; Systematic review