The Positive Effects Of African Prune

The Positive Effects Of African Prune
Other Common Names: African Prune, Pygeum africanum

Pygeum is an evergreen tree found in the higher elevations of
central and southern Africa. Its bark, once used as a tea for relief of
urinary disorders, has been found to contain not one, but three types
of compounds that relieve the symptoms of prostate enlargement BHP
(benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Beta-sitosterol, the most important of the three, interferes with
the formation of prostaglandins that cause inflammation and swelling in
the prostate. Pentacyclic terpenes also reduce swelling. And ferulic
esters combat enlargement by reducing levels of prolactin, a hormone
which promotes uptake of growth-promoting testosterone in the prostate.

European scientists were so impressed with reports of pygeum's
actions that they began laboratory investigations into the active
constituents in the bark. This led to the development of the modern
lipophilic (fat soluble) extract used today.

Pygeum africanum extract is available as Tadenan in many countries,
including those in central and eastern Europe, for the treatment of
mild to moderate BPH. Its efficacy and acceptability have been
demonstrated in numerous open and placebo-controlled studies in large
populations. The present open three-centre efficacy and safety study
was conducted according to common protocol at urology clinics in the
Czech and Slovak Republics and in Poland, in order to confirm the
therapeutic profile of Pygeum africanum in conditions of daily
practice, using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and
flowmetry assessments. The changes in subjective scores, IPSS and QoL
(quality of life) after the two-month treatment period were highly
statistically significant with mean improvements of 40% and 31%,
respectively. Nocturnal frequency was reduced by 32% and the mean
reduction was again highly statistically significant. Mean maximum
urinary flow, average urinary flow and urine volume were also
statistically significantly improved, but the modest improvement in
post-voiding volume did not reach statistical significance. The
improvements, which exceeded those observed with placebo in earlier
studies, were maintained after one month without treatment indicating
an interesting persistence of clinically useful activity. Prostatic
volume and quality of sexual life remained unchanged throughout. No
treatment-related adverse effects were observed.

In conclusion, under conditions of daily practice, Pygeum africanum
extract induces significant improvement in IPSS and uroflowmetry
parameters. These positive effects are accompanied by a very
satisfactory safety profile with the overall result of a substantial
improvement in QoL.

- Breza J, Dzurny O, Borowka A, Hanus T, Petrik R, Blane G,
Chadha-Boreham H. Efficacy and acceptability of tadenan (Pygeum
africanum extract) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH): a multicentre trial in central Europe. Department of Urology,
University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.