Sabalis serrulatae fructus

Sabalis serrulatae fructus, also called saw palmetto fruit, is a drug whose extracts are used in herbal medicines for the treatment of micturition problems in benign prostatic hyperplasia: stages I and II according to Alken or stages II and III according to Vahlensiek. An inhibitory effect of Serenoa repens extracts on both types of 5-alpha reductase has been demonstrated.

HMPC monograph: Thick extracts (DEV 7-11:1, extractant hexane): well-established use: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Traditional-use: Micturition symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also benign prostatic syndrome, BPS) - stage I to II (according to Alken) or stage II and III according to Vahlensieck.
ESCOP monograph: Symptomatic treatment of micturition problems (painful and difficult urination, frequent bladder emptying, nocturnal urge to urinate, urinary retention) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, also benign prostatic syndrome, BPS) - stage I to II (according to Alken) or stage II and III according to Vahlensieck.
Commission E-monograph: Micturition problems in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, stage I and II.

Saw palmetto fruits contain fatty acids like lauric acid, myristic acid and oleic acid. In addition, phytosterols such as β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, essential oil, flavonoids (rutin, rhoifolin and isoquercitrin) and various other fatty acids are also present. Polysaccharides are present.

Lipophilic extracts have an antiandrogenic effect (without estrogenic action), whereas aqueous extracts have an antiphlogistic effect. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts have anti-inflammatory effects.

Ethanolic saw palmetto extracts are mixed with other phyto extracts (especially pumpkin seed extracts, stinging nettle root extracts) and are used for benign prostate hyperplasia in stages I to II.

Dermatologically, saba extracts are used for acne.

Remarkable clinical effects have been
demonstratedin male androgenetic alopecia by peroral therapy with an extract of
Serenoa repens (320mg p.o./day for 24 months) (comparable to finasteride).

Significant results could also be demonstrated locally therapeutically with saw palmetto extracts (Wessagowit V et al. 2015).

1-2 g of drug or 320 mg of lipophilic extract. The capsules are taken once a day at the same time of day.

In rare cases, gastrointestinal complaints and hypersensitivity reactions occur.

Eviprostat® S sabal serrulatum 160 mg soft capsules, Eviprostat® S sabal serrulatum 320 mg Uno soft capsules, Prostagutt® mono/uno capsules, Prosta Urgenin® Uno soft capsules, Remiprostan® uno capsules, Sabal® Sandoz 320 mg capsules, Sabonal® 320 mg uno capsules, Sabonal® 160 duo capsules, Steiprostat® uno capsules, SE Saw Palmetto Spitzner capsules, Talso® Uno N capsules.

1. Murugusundram S (2009) Serenoa Repens: Does It have Any Role in the Management of Androgenetic Alopecia? J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2:31-32.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20300369
2. Rondanelli M et al (2016) A bibliometric study of scientific literature in Scopus on botanicals for treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Cosmet Dermatol 15:120-130. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26608588
3. Rossi A et al (2012) Comparative effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 25:1167-1173. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23298508
4. Wessagowit V et al (2015) Treatment of male androgenetic alopecia with topical products containing Serenoa repens extract. Australas J Dermatol 57:e76-82.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26010505
5. Wiesenauer M (2008) PhytoPraxis. Springer Medizin Verlag Heidelberg
6. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/saegepalme.php
7. https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/extrakte-aus-saegepalmenfruechten/
8. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-serenoa-repens-w-bartram-small-fructus_en.pdf
9. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 185-186