Symptom → Plant Sources
Pygeum (Prunus africana) as a tool for helping with Inflammation (general)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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A standardized Prunus africana (pygeum) bark extract reduced the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (notably IL-6 and TNF-alpha) from LPS-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, supporting its anti-inflammatory action in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
1 source supporting Pygeum for Inflammation (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Introduction The use of complementary and alternative medications has become a multi-million dollar business in the United States and comprises more than half of all filled prescriptions for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Europe. For the practicing urologist, understanding the phytotherapeutic agents available, their proposed mechanism of action, the research supporting their use, and their safety profiles has become increasingly important as more patients inquire into their use. Materials and methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify pertinent articles pertaining to alternative and complementary treatment options for the management of BPH. Treatments demonstrating adequate clinical data, including Serona repens, Pygeum africanum, and Secale cereal, were selected for in depth review. Results Small clinical trials for each of the agents demonstrated mixed results while larger more soundly constructed studies found no significant benefit for the use of phytotherapy in the treatment of BPH. Conclusions Based on the available literature, there is no evidence that phytotherapy significantly improves symptoms of BPH against placebo, despite being largely safe for ingestion. In patients with mild BPH symptoms who are reluctant to take standard pharmaceutical medications may try these agents provided that the patient understands their current limitations. Those with moderate or severe BPH should be discouraged from alternative and complementary treatments.
Pygeum (Prunus africana) was antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic on prostate stromal fibroblasts/myofibroblasts from benign-prostatic-hyperplasia patients, via TGF-beta1 down-regulation and FGF2-signalling inhibition, providing a mechanism for its prostate-supporting, anti-inflammatory action.
This review of African cherry (Prunus africana) summarises its botany, traditional uses (benign prostatic hyperplasia and others), phytochemistry (phytosterols, triterpenes, ferulic acid esters) and biological activities (anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-androgenic, antiproliferative).