波斯卡與鋸棕櫚的比較

Library of Clinical Studies & Publications


Saw palmetto extract vs. Proscar

Proscar
Description: Proscar (finasteride) was the first FDA-approved drug in the treatment of BPH. It works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme, 5 alpha-reductase, involved in male sex hormone (testosterone) metabolism. Proscar blocks the transformation of testosterone to hihydrotestosterone, a very potent hormone derived from testosterone, within the prostate. Dihydrotestosterone is responsible for the overproduction of prostate cells which ultimately results in prostate enlargement.


Effectiveness and safety:
Although Proscar has received much attention, based on the results of the clinical trials, less than 37% of patients on Proscar will experience clinical improvement after taking the drug for one year and it must be taken for at least six months before any improvement can be expected. Meanwhile, about 5% of men suffer from decreased libido, ejaculatory disorders, and impotence while on the drug. Despite Proscar`s shortcomings and side effects, Merck, the manufacturer of Proscar, has predicted sales will soon reach $1 billion dollars annually.


Cost
Proscar costs about $75.00 for a month`s supply

Saw Palmetto Extract
Description
The Saw palmetto extract used in the clinical studies is a well-defined purified fat-soluble extract containing between 85% and 95% fatty acids and sterols. Like Proscar, the therapeutic effect of the Saw palmetto extract appears to be due to its inhibition of dihydrotestosterone. However, the Saw palmetto extract also inhibits the binding of dihydrostestosterone at cellular binding sites.


Effectiveness and safety:
Numerous double-blind clinical studies on the Saw palmetto extract have shown it to be effective in nearly 90% of patients usually in a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Detailed toxicity studies in animals, as well as the results from clinical trials, indicate that the Saw palmetto extract is without toxicity or side effect. Despite the impressive clinical effectiveness, safety, and popularity of Saw palmetto extract in the treatment of BPH in the United States, manufacturers are prohibited from making any medical claims by the FDA.


Cost
At the effective dosage of 160mg twice daily, Saw palmetto extract costs about $24.00 for a month`s supply.


An extract of the berries from the Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a palm tree native to the Southern Atlantic coast, has emerged as a popular treatment for an enlarged prostate both in Europe and the United States. This popularity is for good reason.
Over 20 double-blind, placebo controlled studies have demonstrated the fat-soluble extract of the Saw palmetto berries is very effective in relieving all of the major symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) including increased nighttime urinary frequency, the most bothersome complaint.
In fact, in these studies, the Saw palmetto extract has been shown to exert superior benefits compared to Proscar, the standard prescription drug used in the medical treatment of BPH.
To illustrate Saw palmetto extracts`s superiority over Proscar, let`s look at the effect of both on the maximum urine flow rate, a good indicator of bladder neck obstruction due to an enlarged prostate. The information featured in Figure 1 below is based on pooled data on Saw palmetto extract from all clinical studies and pooled data on Proscar listed in the Physician`s Desk Reference.
Figure 2 features the clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of Saw palmetto extract in the treatment of BPH.

Figure 1back
Saw palmetto vs. Proscar on urine flow rate
(milliliters per second)

 

Saw palmetto extract

Proscar

Initial Measurement

9.53 ml/sec

9.6 ml/sec

3 months

13.15 ml/sec*

10.4 ml/sec

12 months

**

11.2 ml/sec

% increase

38% in 3 months

16% in 12 months

 

*Many studies on the Saw palmetto extract were less than 90 days; final measurements were calculated as 90 measurements.
**There are no long-term studies on Saw palmetto extract, yet the effect at 3 months (or less) is obviously superior to that of Proscar.

Figure 2back
Clinical studies demonstrating the efficacy of Saw palmetto* in BPH

Authors

Type
of
Study

No.
of
patients

Length
of
study

Results

Boccafoschi,
et al

Double-blind

22

60 days

Significant difference for volume voided, maximum flow, mean flow, dysuria, nocturia

Cirillo, et al

Open

47

4 months

Significant difference for:
dysuria, nocturia, urine flow

Tripodi, et al

Open

40

30-90 days

Significant difference for: dysuria, nocturia, volume of prostate, voiding rate, residual urine

Emili, et al

Double-blind

30

30 days

Significant difference for: number of voidings, strangury, maximum and mean urine flow, residual urine

Greca, et al

Open

14

1 to 2 months

Significant difference for: dysuria, perincal heaviness, nocturia, volume of urine per voiding, interval between two dumal voidings, sensation of incomplete voiding

Duvia, et al

Controlled trial
vs.
pygeum

30

30 days

Significant difference for voiding rate

Tasca, et al

Double-blind

30

31 to 90 days

Significant difference for: frequency, urine flow measurement

Cukier, et al

Double-blind

168

60 to 90 days

Significant difference for: dysuria, frequency, residual urine

Crimi, et al

Open

32

4 weeks

Significant difference for: dysuria, nocturia, flow measurement, residual urine

Champault, et al

Double-blind

110

28 days

Significant difference for: dysuria, nocturia, flow measurement, residual urine

Mattei, et al

Double-blind

40

3 months

Significant difference: dysuria, nocturia, residual urine

 

 

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One comment
  1. 請問董哥,這邊文章是不是說內服鋸棕格比柔沛更有效呢??
    有90%的人在服後用停止落髮並長出新髮嗎
    我最近想開始吃,所以想問清楚點@@
    版主回覆:(06/14/2011 03:03:07 PM)
    別誤會! 這是比較在攝護腺疾病上,所以僅供參考。
    不能說口服鋸棕櫚比較有效,事實上,治療雄性禿,是藥物優於口服鋸棕櫚的。
    別過度期待口服鋸棕櫚

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