– Serenoa repens – is it worth to apply in andrology?

Saw Palmetto (lat. Serenoa repens), known for centuries in folk medicine, is also used in conventional medicine for over 100 years. Biologically active chemical compounds contained in fruits of this plant are good known. Liposterolic extract inhibits the action of 5α-steroid reductase and aromatase which in turn inhibits the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone and estrogen respectivelly. Extracts are used in urology in the early and moderate form of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In recent years, the attention on the aspect of an anti-infl ammatory was focused. Phytosterols interfere with arachidonic acid cascade associated with infl ammation, in the braking mechanism trail of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase. Infl ammation of the prostate gland, often needing multi-months treatment significantly reduced sperm quality and is one of the causes of male infertility. An alternative to prolonged antibiotic treatment may be medicine containing extracts from the Saw Palmetto.