• How can saw palmetto be used to treat baldness
• How can saw palmetto be used to treat baldness references

How can saw palmetto be used to treat baldness

Several reports indicate saw palmetto is effective in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. Animal models show that Permixon will inhibit prostate gland enlargement when rats are given estrogens and testosterone. In comparison, control rats receiving hormones but no Permixon had significant prostate enlargement. Other animal studies reveal that the Permixon is being preferentially taken up and retained in the prostate gland. Other tissues such as the seminal vesicles or liver showed far lower uptake of saw palmetto extract.

Human treatment using saw palmetto is much more widely practiced in treatment of human prostatic hyperplasia typically involves oral ingestion of 160mg saw palmetto extract twice a day. This dosage has been associated with significant improvement for individuals with prostatic hyperplasia problems. Some investigators report that the results are even comparable to using finasteride (Propecia) to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Some research suggests that saw palmetto extract works at the site of androgen receptors on steroid sensitive cells. Research shows that saw palmetto does not have an effect on the plasma concentration of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or other hormones so systemic production of testosterone is maintained when taking saw palmetto. In contrast finasteride has been shown effective in reducing serum concentration of dihydrotestosterone. Saw palmetto seems to work locally at the actual site of hormone binding to receptors on cells. It apparently stops or at least reduces the receptor binding of androgens. It also locally inhibits 5 alpha reductase and 3 ketosteroid reductase and these enzymes are involved in converting testosterone to the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw palmetto extract may also act to reduce inflammation that is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing immune cell production of stimulating cytokine chemicals.

These reports suggest that saw palmetto may be effective in treating androgenetic alopecia, however, no direct clinical trails have been conducted to define just how effective saw palmetto may be in treating pattern baldness.

How can saw palmetto be used to treat baldness references

• Paubert-Braquet M, Richardson FO, Servent-Saez N, Gordon WC, Monge MC, Bazan NG, Authie D, Braquet P. Effect of Serenoa repens extract (Permixon) on estradiol/testosterone-induced experimental prostate enlargement in the rat. Pharmacol Res. 1996 Sep-Oct;34(3-4):171-9.
• Paubert-Braquet M, Mencia Huerta JM, Cousse H, Braquet P. Effect of the lipidic lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) on the ionophore A23187-stimulated production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) from human polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1997 Sep;57(3):299-304.
• Chevalier G, Benard P, Cousse H, Bengone T. Distribution study of radioactivity in rats after oral administration of the lipido/sterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) supplemented with [1-14C]-lauric acid, [1-14C]-oleic acid or [4-14C]-beta-sitosterol. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet. 1997 Jan-Mar;22(1):73-83.
• Gerber GS, Zagaja GP, Bales GT, Chodak GW, Contreras BA. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: effects on urodynamic parameters and voiding symptoms. Urology. 1998 Jun;51(6):1003-7.
• Plosker GL, Brogden RN. Serenoa repens (Permixon). A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Drugs Aging. 1996 Nov;9(5):379-95.
• Ravenna L, Di Silverio F, Russo MA, Salvatori L, Morgante E, Morrone S, Cardillo MR, Russo A, Frati L, Gulino A, Petrangeli E. Effects of the lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon) on human prostatic cell lines. Prostate. 1996 Oct;29(4):219-30.
• Casarosa C, Cosci di Coscio M, Fratta M. Lack of effects of a lyposterolic extract of Serenoa repens on plasma levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Clin Ther. 1988;10(5):585-8.
• Strauch G, Perles P, Vergult G, Gabriel M, Gibelin B, Cummings S, Malbecq W, Malice MP. Comparison of finasteride (Proscar) and Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase in healthy male volunteers. Eur Urol. 1994;26(3):247-52.
• Iehle C, Delos S, Guirou O, Tate R, Raynaud JP, Martin PM. Human prostatic steroid 5 alpha-reductase isoforms--a comparative study of selective inhibitors. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1995 Sep;54(5-6):273-9.