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Volume 5- Issue 4: 2018
ISSN: 2574-1241
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.13.002348
Joanna Igielska Kalwat.
Biomed J Sci & Tech Res
Review Article
Biomedical Journal of
Serenoa Repens
Faculty of Cosmetology and Educational Sciences, Poland
: December 21, 2018; : January 11, 2019
Joanna Igielska Kalwat, Faculty of Cosmetology and Educational Sciences, Poland
Introduction
Saw palmetto it is a plant that growns in the United States,
Central, North and South America and West Indies. In the USA, it can
be found in the marshy areas of Florida, North Carolina, Alabama and
Texas. Palm fruit is characterized by purple-black coloring. It grows
in clusters, and the fruiting period falls in October - December. Ripe
and partially dried fruits are used to prepare extracts. In traditional
medicine, the interest in saw palmetto goes back to the beginning
of the 19th century. Native Americans consumed this plant to
overcome the problems associated with prostatic hyperplasia, or
introduced into the pharmaceutical market, but around 1950 it
Studies on the plant were relaunched in the 1980s.
Serenoa repens (W. Bartram) Small plant belongs to the
Arecaceae family. It is a monoicous palm tree with thin bark. This
species is long-lived and can grow for 500-700 years. It has an
underground rhizome from which 3 to 7 leaves grow every year.
The leaves are leathery, green or white-green in color, characterized
by both palmoid and fan shape. The petioles are spiny, longer than
the leaf blade, and covered with sharp spines, which is why the
are small, white and gathered in panicles growing from the leaf
angles. The palm is pollinated by insects and blooms from April
blue-black color. They have an ellipsoidal shape [1]. The healing
raw material consists of the dried, mature fruit - Sabalis serrulatae
fructus of Serenoa repens. The fruit must contain at least 11% of
fatty acids. The raw material is sourced exclusively from the wild.
The fruit can be eaten raw, or in the form of an extract enclosed in a
capsule, tincture or tablet [2].
The main components of the fruit and extract obtained from
them is the lipid-sterol fraction. This fraction includes triglycerides,
phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, stigminerol, campesterol, cycloarte-
nol), fatty acids (capric, caproic and caprylic, lauric, myristic, ole-
ic and palmitic), their ethyl esters and triglycerides. Saw palmetto
also contains kaempferol, quercetin, isoquercitrin, roifolin, farne-
sol, lupeol, lupenone, uronic acids, arabinose, galactose, polysac-
charides, resins and tannins. Biological active monoacylglycerides
(1-monolaurine and 1-monomyristin) with cytotoxic activity on
human prostate cells were isolated from the raw material [3]. Due
in the food, pharmaceutical, medical and cosmetics industries. The
Maya used Serenoe repens as a tonic. In Florida, Native Americans
an expectorant and antiseptic. Extract from saw palmetto contrib-
utes to the reduction in the activity level of enzyme responsible
a hormone whose elevated level causes numerous ailments of the
urinary tract. This can be manifested by among others infertility,
The following paper describes saw palmetto, a plant that found its use already in the 19th century. Nowadays, it is still used in medicine,
times.
Serenoa Repens
Joanna Igielska Kalwat. The Use of Serenoa RepensBiomed J Sci & Tech Res 13(1)-2019.
BJSTR. MS.ID.002348. DOI: 10.26717/ BJSTR.2019.13.002348.
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hormonal failure of male or female reproductive organs, testicular
tumors and polycystic ovary syndrome [4].
which is manifested by abdominal pain and problems with passing
urine [1]. The consequence of prostatic hypertrophy may be
complete urinary retention in the body. Phytosterols contained
in the saw palmetto limit the cholesterol absorption process.
Extracts of saw palmetto fruit treat voiding disorders in patients
with prostatic hypertrophy, reduce urinary retention in the bladder
of prostatic mucous membranes and muscles, as well as cause the
disappearance of burning and pain during urination or urgent need
and have immunostimulatory effect (polysaccharides). Flavonoids
and they also improve blood circulation. Saw palmetto extract
also act as antiaggregatives and stimulate epithelial and muscle
regeneration [6-7].
Extract of saw palmetto fruit contributes to inhibiting the
inhibiting the arachidonic acid cascade (reduction of 5-lipoxygenase
activity). Blocking of androgen activity by saw palmetto extract, as
in vivo experiments, it was found that the administration of extract
together with hormones (testosterone and estradiol) results in
inhibited prostate weight gain in castrated rats [8]. Palm fruit
(Serenoa repens) extract is a preparation that has an effective and
safe effect on human health. It is well tolerated by the majority of
patients. The best therapeutic effects can be achieved when using
extract of dried fruit that has been obtained by extracting the raw
material (using CO2, in supercritical conditions, with preservation
[9]. Appropriate doses of Serenoa repens extract range from
800 to 1200mg per day. Therapy should last at least 4-6 months.
Preparations of saw palmetto fruit bring effective effects also in
disorders (psoriasis, urticaria, pemphigus and atopic dermatitis),
pain.
The sabal palm is also used as a sedative and to increase sex
drive (aphrodisiac). It is utilized in the treatment of chronic migraine
headaches. Serenoe repens can be used in patients with asthma,
pertussis. It is very useful with excessive secretion of mucus from
the sinuses and the nose [10,11]. In the cosmetics industry, saw
palmetto fruit have found application in preparations intended for
scalp and hair care. The plant in question is antiandrogenic, and
therefore can be used in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia [12].
Excessive hair loss is caused by many environmental factors such as
inadequate diet, irritating cosmetics and stress. In approximately
95% of cases, baldness are caused by hormones - androgens.
Androgenetic alopecia is an increased or rapid hair loss without
simultaneous physical changes on the skin. The type of baldness
discussed here is one of the most severe problems affecting mainly
men. The progressive process of baldness contributes to the lack of
acceptance towards one’s appearance. Therefore, manufacturers of
scalp and hair care cosmetics make every effort to isolate the active
substance that will effectively combat the problem.
which is a stronger and more active testosterone derivative.
reaction catalysed by 5-alpha-reductase catalysed enzyme (5-AR)
[13]. Serenoa extract is a potent 5-AR inhibitor, the use of which
and nuclear androgen receptors. The already mentioned
alopecia. Sebaceous glands contain also 5-alpha-reductase - an
generally believed) that causes hair loss. This hormone contributes
to the miniaturization of hair follicles, which leads to a shortening
of the hair’s lifespan and its incorrect production. The hair becomes
thinner, lighter and shorter. This type of baldness mainly affects
men and is manifested by the loss of hair on the top of the head
with endocrine disorders or with a fall in female hormones after
pregnancy or during menopause [14,15]. Treatment of androgenetic
alopecia involves the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase activity. This
doses than in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy. An alternative
to synthetic drugs in the prevention of androgenetic alopecia are
preparations containing saw palmetto extract.
In the market of dietary supplements, several preparations
containing this raw material may be found. They are recommended
to people struggling with not so much with androgenic alopecia, as
with worsened condition of hair and skin. Typically, such products
contain also vitamins A, E, C and silicone. Saw palmetto extract can
also be found in hair care products: shampoos (e.g. Ducray Sabal),
a vast array of preparations containing sabal palmetto extract, but
the vast majority belong to the category of dietary supplements.
These preparations do not have medicinal properties. In Poland,
only two drugs are available containing a standardized extract from
saw palmetto: Prostamol Uno and Sterko. Their advantage over
other preparations with this raw material results from the rigorous
procedure of introducing and controlling medicinal products
that are subject to the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspector. Dietary
supplements are controlled by the Sanitary and Epidemiological
only, and their true qualitative and quantitative composition does
not always coincide with the manufacturers’ declarations.
Volume 13- Issue 1: 2019
Joanna Igielska Kalwat. The Use of Serenoa RepensBiomed J Sci & Tech Res 13(1)-2019.
BJSTR. MS.ID.002348. DOI: 10.26717/ BJSTR.2019.13.002348.3/4
Both drugs alleviate ailments associated with the initial stage
of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In addition to the aforementioned
medicines based on saw palmetto extract, supplements with this
ingredient may also be found on the market (Table 1) [19]. Saw
palmetto is a potential therapeutic in androgenetic alopecia affecting
both women and men. In addition to the oral application, there is
a much less invasive form, not affecting the hormonal balance of
the whole organism - a direct application to the scalp in the form
androgenetic alopecia, the most effective are shampoos, masks
and rub-in compounds with extract of saw palmetto fruit. They
can also be used in prevention of hair loss [22]. Extract from saw
palmetto has also found application in the treatment of androgenic
acne, hirsutism (virilism in women) and hyperandrogenism.
Saw palmetto is a component of anti-acne preparations as well
as shampoos and hair masks regulating the secretion of sebum
[23]. In rare cases, the researchers observed side effects such as
mild dizziness and headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation or
diarrhea. Using palmetto extract may reduce blood coagulation as
well as increase the tendency to bruises and bleedings. Therefore,
people who have a planned surgical procedure should stop using
saw palmetto at least two weeks before. The preparation is not
recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding or when using
contraceptives. This plant may cause irreversible damage to the
fetus or lead to a miscarriage [24,25].
Table 1: Examples of preparations containing saw palmetto extract, available in Polish pharmacies [19-21].
Prostamol Uno Treatment of mild prostate hypertrophy Medicinal product Berlin Chemie
Sterko Treatment of mild prostate hypertrophy Medicinal product Glenmark
Saw Palmetto Supporting the treatment of mild prostatic
hypertrophy Dietary supplement Solgar
MultiProsti Supporting the treatment of mild prostatic
hypertrophy Dietary supplement +Pharma Arzneimittel
Gold-Vit for men Vitamin supplement for men Dietary supplement
Rutiver Vitamin supplement for men Dietary supplement Biovena
Profolan Dietary supplement Profolan
Prostatan Proper prostate function, hair growth stimulation Dietary supplement
Prostenal Perfect Support of prostate function and health of the
genitourinary and urinary tract Dietary supplement Walmarkt
Weak hair needing reinforcement Cosmetic Elfa Pharm
Weak
hair needing reinforcement
Cosmetic Elfa Pharm
Weak hair needing reinforcement Cosmetic Elfa Pharm
Ducray Sabal Shampoo for oily hair Cosmetic Ducra
Conclusion
The development of technology, cosmetology, medicine and
consumer awareness forces the manufacturers to search for new
active substances of both plant and synthetic origin. They are
health and beautiful appearance. One controversial plant that has
described in the above paper.
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ISSN: 2574-1241
DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.13.002348
Joanna Igielska Kalwat.
Biomed J Sci & Tech Res
