Tabelle:
Weeks in RCT with 543 Man resultsfrom Carraro et al. [ 4 ]. IPSS = Internationale ProstatacSymptomcKerbe

Serenoa repens is the medical name for the herb saw palmetto.
Studies have shown that saw palmetto have the same effect as the drug finasteride in treating hair loss and prostate enlargement diseases. It has been suggested that both hair loss and prostate disease are related to the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone.

Saw Palmetto works as an 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It reduces the amount of 5-alpha reductase in our body and thereby reduces the formation of DHT, which is the main cause for hair loss and prostatic disease. DHT is formed when 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone. DHT is a derivate of testosterone but is many times more potent. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT tend to fall off when exposed to the hormone.

Research has shown that the herb Saw Palmetto has the same effects as finasteride in treating patients with benign prostate enlargement. In fact, the herb is very popular and common in Germany and is available as an over-the-counter medication. There are many research and studies in Germany that confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating patients with prostatic disease.

Hair Loss Study Abstract: Testosterone metabolism in primary cultures of human prostate epithelial cells and fibroblasts.

Title: Testosterone metabolism in primary cultures of human prostate epithelial cells and fibroblasts.
Author: Délos S; Carsol JL; Ghazarossian E; Raynaud JP; Martin PM
Address: Laboratoire de Cancérologie Expérimentale, Faculté de Médecine Secteur Nord, Marseille, France.
Source: J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, 55: 3-4, 1995 Dec, 375-83

Abstract
We compare testosterone (T) metabolism in primary cultures of epithelial cells and fibroblasts separated from benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) and prostate cancer tissues. In all cultures, androstenedione (delta 4) formed by oxidation of T by 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) represented 80% of the metabolites recovered. The amounts of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), formed by reduction of T by 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-R), were small: 5 and 2% (BPH) and 8 and 15% (adenocarcinoma) for epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively. Northern blot analysis of total RNA from epithelial cells (BPH or adenocarcinoma) attributed the reductive activity to the 5 alpha-reductase type 1 isozyme and oxidative activity to the 17 beta-HSD type 2. In cancer fibroblasts, only little 17 beta-HSD type 2 mRNA was detected. The 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, 4-MA (17 beta-(N,N-diethyl)carbamoyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-one) and finasteride, inhibited DHT formation with a preferential action of 4-MA on epithelial cells (BPH or adenocarcinoma) and of finasteride on fibroblasts from adenocarcinoma. Neither inhibitor acted on delta 4 formation. On the other hand, the lipido-sterol extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr, Permixon) inhibited the formation of all the T metabolites studied [IC50 S = 40 and 200 micrograms/ml (BPH) and 90 and 70 micrograms/ml (adenocarcinoma) in epithelial cells and fibroblasts, respectively]. These results have important therapeutic implications when selecting appropriate treatment options for BPH.
Language of Publication English
Unique Identifier 96132689

Title The effect of Permixon on androgen receptors.
Author el-Sheikh MM; Dakkak MR; Saddique A
Address Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Source Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand, 67: 5, 1988, 397-9

Abstract
Permixon, the liposterolic extract of the plant Serenoa Repens is a recently introduced drug for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The effect of Permixon on dihydrotestosterone and testosterone binding by eleven different tissue specimens was tested. The drug reduced the mean uptake of both hormones by 40.9% and 41.9% respectively in all tissue specimens. Since hirsutism and virilism are among other gynecological problems caused either by excessive androgen stimulation or excess endorgan response, we suggest that Permixon could be a useful treatment in such conditions and recommend further investigations of the possible therapeutic values of the drug in gynecological practice.
Language of Publication English
Unique Identifier 89115768

Hair Loss Study Abstract: Comparison of finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5 alpha reductase inhibition.

Title Comparison of finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5 alpha reductase inhibition.
Author Rhodes L; Primka RL; Berman C; Vergult G; Gabriel M; Pierre-Malice M; Gibelin B
Address Department of Biochemistry, Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, New Jersey 07065.
Source Prostate, 1993, 22:1, 43-51

Abstract
Human prostate was used as a source of 5 alpha reductase. Compounds were incubated with an enzyme preparation and [3H]testosterone. [3H]-dihydrotestosterone production was measured to calculate 5 alpha reductase activity. IC50 values (ng/ml) were finasteride = 1; Permixon = 5,600; Talso = 7,000; Strogen Forte = 31,000; Prostagutt = 40,000; and Tadenan = 63,000. Bazoton and Harzol had no activity at concentrations up to 500,000 ng/ml. In castrate rats stimulated with testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), finasteride, but not Permixon or Bazoton, inhibited T stimulated prostate growth, while None of the three compounds inhibited DHT stimulated growth. These results demonstrate that finasteride inhibits 5 alpha reductase, while Permixon and Bazoton have neither anti-androgen nor 5 alpha reductase inhibitory activity. In addition, in a 7 day human clinical trial, finasteride, but not Permixon or placebo, decreased serum DHT in men, further confirming the lack of 5 alpha reductase inhibition by Permixon. Finasteride and the plant extracts listed above do not inhibit the binding of DHT to the rat prostatic androgen receptor (concentrations to 100 micrograms/ml). Based on these results, it is unlikely that these plant extracts would shrink the prostate by inhibiting androgen action or 5 alpha reductase.
Language of Publication LA=ENG
Unique Identifier 93149919

http://www.stevenfoster.com/education/monograph/sawpalmetto.html
http://www.regrowth.com/hair_loss_treatments/saw_palmetto/saw_palmetto_1.cfm
http://www.stophairlossnow.co.uk/Saw_Palmetto.htm
http://www.hairsite.com/late-saw.htm

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