≥1 piece |
Saw palmetto berry consists of the repe, dried fruit of Serenoa repens(Bartram) Small (syn.Sabal serrulata(Michaux) Nuttal ex Schultes) as well as its preparations in effective dosage, The berries contain fatty oil with fatty acids, esters, phytosterols, and polysaccharides.
The main constituents include carbohydrates(invert sugar, mannitol, high-molecular-weight polysaccharides with galactose, arabinose, and uronic acid), fixed oils(free fatty acids and their glycerides), steroids, flavonoids, resin, pigment, tannin, and volatile oil(Newall et al,.1996), The fruits and seeds are rich in triacylglycerol-containing oil(50% of the fatty acids contain 14 of less carbons) (Bruneton,1995).
Saw palmetto has been reported to contain diuretic, urinary antiseptic, endocrinological, and anabolic properties (Newall et al,.1996.)
The fruit of SP has been shown in vitro to inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase and aromatoase, significant in the development of BPH(Koch and Biber,1994). A recent animal study has shown anti-exudative and anti-inflammatory effects as well (Ziegler and Holscher.1994), Additional research to confirm the purported hormonal and anti-inflammatory effects of SP is required.
The commission E reported antiandrogenic and anti-exudative activity.