African plum: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Pygeum
Scientific name(s)
Pygeum africanum, Prunus africana
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Ursolic acid
N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide
Triterpenoids
Amyrins
Beta-sitosterol
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia ✪✪✪✪✪
Several studies have shown that oral intake of African plum reduces the functional symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). It helps reduce nocturia (the need to urinate at night) by 19%, which can substantially improve the sleep quality of affected men. In addition, it promotes an increase in urinary flow rate, accompanied by a notable 24% reduction in post-void residual urine volume, thereby relieving the uncomfortable symptoms of BPH.nnA standardized African plum extract was used at a dose of 75 to 200 mg per day in a single dose or in two divided doses. Treatment duration ranged from 15 to 120 days.nnClinical study of a combination:nnIn 2013, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was published that studied the effects of a combination: pumpkin seed oil pumpkin seed- Cucurbita pepo (160 mg), willowherb extract Epilobium-Epilobium parviflorum (equivalent to 500 mg of dry herb), lycopene (2.1 mg), African plum (equivalent to 15 g of dry stem, standardized in β-sitosterol) and saw palmetto- S. repens (equivalent to 660 mg of dry leaf) in 57 patients with medically newly diagnosed BPH. After 3 months, the active treatment resulted in a 36% reduction in symptoms compared with 8% with placebo. Urination frequency was reduced by 15.5% during the day and 39.3% at night, while no significant reduction was observed in the placebo group during the day and 7% at night.nn
Posologie
Oral: bark
50 - 200 mg
120 - days
Men
standardized extract
Synergies
A phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Efficacy and acceptability of tadenan (Pygeum africanum extract) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a multicenter trial in Central Europe.
Controlled study of the effects of Pygeum africanum extract on the functional symptoms of prostatic adenoma.
Comparison of once- and twice-daily dosage forms of Pygeum africanum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open-label extension.
Review of the experience and evidence of Pygeum africanum in urological practice.
[Efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract in the medical therapy of urination disorders due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: evaluation of objective and subjective parameters. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study].
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis.
Pygeum africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. A review of 25 years of published experience.
Prostatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
An extract of African plum (100 mg/day for 5 to 7 weeks) was used to treat 47 patients with prostatitis. A complete remission was observed in 89% of the patients. In another study, African plum (200 mg/day for 60 days) was used alone or in combination with antibiotics to treat 18 patients suffering from sexual disorders due to BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or chronic prostatitis. An improvement in urinary symptoms and sexual function was observed.
Posologie
Oral: bark
100 mg
7 - weeks
Men
standardized extract
Male fertility disorders ✪✪✪✪✪
African plum extract has been suggested to be beneficial in the treatment of patients with sexual disorders and fertility problems. Indeed, a study showed that taking African plum (200 mg/day for 60 days) alone or in combination with antibiotics was beneficial for improving sexual disorders due to BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or chronic prostatitis. An improvement in urinary symptoms and sexual function was observed.
Posologie
Oral: bark
200 mg
60 - days
Men
standardized extract
Prostate cancer ✪✪✪✪✪
African plum extract may help prevent prostate cancer. African plum shows promising potential in the prevention of prostate cancer. In vitro studies reveal that its phytosterols inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells, producing a cytotoxic effect and altering their growth. A specific component, N-butylbenzene-sulfonamide (NBBS), acts as an antagonist of androgen receptors, thereby blocking the expression and growth of certain cancer cells. In addition, another compound, methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate, has anti-androgenic activity. These findings, reinforced by the cell proliferation-blocking effect of an ethanolic extract of P. africanum on other cancer cell lines and a significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence in a mouse model, suggest strong therapeutic potential. Although these findings are promising, it is important to emphasize that to date there is no direct clinical confirmation of the effects of African plum extract on prostate cancer in humans. Additional clinical research is needed to validate these preliminary results.
Posologie
Oral: bark
100 - 200 mg
Men
standardized extract
Phytosterol Pygeum africanum regulates prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo
The natural compound atraric acid is an antagonist of the human androgen receptor inhibiting cellular invasiveness and prostate cancer cell growth
NBBS isolated from Pygeum africanum bark exhibits androgen antagonistic activity, inhibits AR nuclear translocation and prostate cancer cell growth
[Antimitogenic effect of Pygeum africanum extracts on human prostatic cancer cell lines and explants from benign prostatic hyperplasia]
Isolation of atraric acid, synthesis of atraric acid derivatives, and use of atraric acid and the derivatives thereof for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate carcinoma and spinobulbar muscular atrophy
Properties
Anti-inflammatory
Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol, beta-sitostenone), compounds of the African plum, inhibit the production of prostaglandins in the prostate, which reduces the inflammatory symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis. The pentacyclic triterpenes (oleanolic and ursolic) also inhibit the activity of glucosyltransferase, an enzyme involved in inflammation. Moreover, studies on African plum extract confirm that it decreases the production of leukotrienes and other metabolites of 5-lipoxygenase.
Usages associés
Antiandrogenic
The compounds present in African plum, notably atraric acid and N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS), appear to act as antagonists of androgen receptors. They inhibit the activation of these receptors, but not those of glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors. This results in an inhibition of prostate-specific antigen expression, suggesting anti-androgenic therapeutic potential, particularly in the context of prostate pathologies.
Usages associés
Anticancer
The extracts of the African plum show anticancer potential, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, ethanolic extracts of the African plum inhibited the growth of cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis, interfering with cell kinetics and downregulating ER-alpha (estrogen receptor alpha that naturally binds estrogens) and PKC-alpha (protein kinase C alpha). These proteins play a fundamental role in several cellular functions such as apoptosis, proliferation and cell differentiation; their downregulation is therefore a means of preventing the multiplication of cancer cells. In animals, the African plum showed a significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence (35%) compared to mice fed casein (62.5%). This antiproliferative action is not limited to cancer cells but also extends to prostatic fibroblasts and epithelial cells, suggesting a comprehensive approach to combating prostate growth and cellular hyperplasia. The inhibition of specific growth factors by African plum extracts could also play a crucial role in this process by limiting the signals that normally encourage the proliferation and expansion of prostatic cells.
Usages associés
Hormone metabolism
In vivo studies have shown that administration of an extract of the African plum has a significant effect on dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a biologically active metabolite of testosterone, formed in the prostate, the testes, hair follicles and the adrenal glands under the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. 5-alpha reductase is a key enzyme in the metabolism of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which plays a major role in prostate hyperplasia. The African plum appears to inhibit this enzyme, although less potently than finasteride, a well-known synthetic inhibitor. African plum has been shown to inhibit DHT-induced prostate growth, suggesting a mechanism of action independent of androgen receptor blockade. Furthermore, the African plum contains phytoestrogens that appear to exert estrogenic activity. Indeed, preliminary animal research shows that African plum extract increases uterine weight in mice that have undergone ovariectomy and adrenalectomy, suggesting estrogenic activity.
Usages associés
Estrogenic activity
The African plum contains phytoestrogens, some of which have a structure similar to that of estradiol and may exert estrogenic activity.
Safe dosage
Adults (18 years and older): 100 mg - 200 mg (standardized extract)
The lipophilic bark extract of pygeum (African plum) is generally administered in a standardized form to contain 13% sterols, including beta-sitosterol, and 0.5% triterpenes (n-docosanol), at a daily dose of 100-200 mg.
Precautions
Pregnant women: avoid
Use should be avoided due to lack of information.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Use should be avoided due to lack of information.
Children and adolescents under 18 years: avoid
Use in children and adolescents under 18 years is not recommended.
