[Extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms]

This literature review focuses on the use of Serenoa repens extracts in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Extracts of Serenoa repens produce marked anti-inflammatory, anti-androgenic and antiproliferative effects. Various extracts differ in their activity depending on the concentration of free fatty acids and the method of extract preparation. Extracts of Serenoa Repens from different manufacturers vary considerably in composition, effectiveness and supporting evidence. Evaluation of the effectiveness of Serenoa Repens extracts should be carried out for each extract separately, depending on the method of preparation and brand. The most studied and clinically effective is the hexane lipidosterol extract of Serenoa Repens Permixon. This assessment is supported by a report on Serenoa Repens, issued by the European Medicines Agency. In this report, only Serenoa repens hexanic extract Permixon is considered to be a well-established medical use product for the symptomatic treatment of BPH.