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Evidence summaries

Serenoa Repens for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Serenoa repens, an herbal medicine, may not improve urinary symptoms and peak urinary flow compared to placebo in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Level of evidence: "C"

A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 32 studies lasting 4 to 72 weeks with a total of 5 666 subjects. Serenoa repens was not superior in improving International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) compared to placebo (MD 0.40 mL/s, 95% CI -0.30 to 1.09).

For nocturia, Serenoa repens was not significantly better than placebo.

Comparing prostate size (mean change from baseline), one high quality 12-month trial (N = 225) reported no significant difference between SR and placebo (MD -1.22 cc, 95% CI -3.91 to 1.47).

Adverse effects were mild and infrequent.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by inconsistency (variability in results across studies and heterogeneity in interventions and outcomes), and by imprecise results (wide confidence intervals).

    References

    • Tacklind J, Macdonald R, Rutks I et al. Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012;(12):CD001423. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords