Pygeum Africanum is a large evergreen tree found in central and southern Africa. The extracts from the bark of pygeum contain several compounds thought to be helpful in reducing prostate enlargement. The extracts from pygeum include beta-sitosterol, other plant estrogens, triterpenes, and certain compounds known as ferulic acids. You can purchase Pygeum Africanum here.
   Pygeum extracts have been used for more than 30 years in France, Germany, and Austria for patients suffering with prostate enlargement. The recommended dose of pygeum is 50 to 150 mg daily. One study shows that the dosing frequency is not crucial. Pygeum africanum extract at 50 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily proved equally effective and safe. It appears that pygeum remains effective with long term use.
   The combination of pygeum and urtica dioica is also effective. Some prostate formulas include urtica in their formulation.

Pyteum research review
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate that occurs in most men over 60, can lead to urinary frequency and nocturia (waking up at night to go to the bathroom). Frequent interruption of sleep leads to daytime tiredness. The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs for the treatment of BPH has been growing steadily and a well-known herb used for this purpose is saw palmetto. The extract of the African prune tree, pygeum africanum, is one of the several herbal agents available for the treatment of BPH. To investigate whether extracts of pygeum are more effective than placebo in the treatment of BPH, statisticians at the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes in Minneapolis, Minnesota searched all published studies from 1966 to 2000. A total of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 1562 men were analyzed. Compared to men receiving placebo, men using pygeum were more than twice as likely to report an improvement in symptoms. Nocturia was reduced 20 percent. Adverse effects due to pygeum were mild and comparable to placebo. The statisticians conclude that pygeum africanum may be a useful treatment option for men with lower urinary symptoms due to BPH.
   Comments: Men with benign prostate enlargement who have not benefited by saw palmetto alone may consider discussing with their health care professional regarding the addition of pygeum.

Pygeum studies for prostate enlargement
A review of published research on Medline in December of 2007 did not show any recent human studies with pygeum supplement.
   Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate that occurs in most men over 60, can lead to urinary frequency and nocturia (waking up at night to go to the bathroom). Frequent interruption of sleep leads to daytime tiredness. The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs for the treatment of BPH has been growing steadily and a well-known herb used for this purpose is saw palmetto. The extract of the African prune tree, pygeum africanum, is one of the several herbal agents available for the treatment of BPH. To investigate whether extracts of pygeum are more effective than placebo in the treatment of BPH, statisticians at the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes in Minneapolis, Minnesota searched all published studies from 1966 to 2000. A total of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 1562 men were analyzed. Compared to men receiving placebo, men using pygeum were more than twice as likely to report an improvement in symptoms. Nocturia was reduced 20 percent. Adverse effects due to pygeum were mild and comparable to placebo. The statisticians conclude that pygeum africanum may be a useful treatment option for men with lower urinary symptoms due to BPH.

Comparison of once and twice daily dosage forms of pygeum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open label extension.
Chatelain C, Autet W, Brackman F.
Department of Urology, Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital, Paris, France.
Urology. 1999 Sep;54(3):473-8.
To compare the efficacy and safety of Pygeum africanum extract, 50 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily. METHODS: Patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) entered a 2-month randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, comparative phase (group A, 50 mg twice daily; group B, 100 mg once daily), followed by a 10-month, open phase (100 mg once daily). Main efficacy assessment parameters included International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax). Two hundred nine patients completed the comparative phase in compliance with the protocol; 174 were included in the open phase. Both treatments had similar efficacy. IPSS (baseline 17 in both groups) improved by 38% in group A and 35% in group B. QOL improved by 28% in both groups. Qmax increased by 1.63 mL/s (16%) in group A and 2.02 mL/s (19%) in group B. After 12 months, the IPSS fell from 16 (baseline) to 9 (-46%). Half of the patients had an IPSS below 8. Mean Qmax increased by 1.65 mUs (15%). The safety profile was similar between groups and study phases. Pygeum africanum extract at 50 mg twice daily and 100 mg once daily proved equally effective and safe at 2 months. Further improvements in efficacy with a satisfactory safety profile were documented after 12 months.

Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R, Rutks I, Stark G.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(1):CD001044. General Internal Medicine (111-0), Minneapolis VA/VISN 13 Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA.
A standardized preparation of Pygeum africanum may be a useful treatment option for men with lower urinary symptoms consistent with benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the reviewed studies were small in size, were of short duration, used varied doses and preparations and rarely reported outcomes using standardized validated measures of efficacy. Additional placebo-controlled trials are needed as well as studies that compare Pygeum africanum to active controls that have been convincingly demonstrated to have beneficial effects on lower urinary tract symptoms related to BPH. These trials should be of sufficient size and duration to detect important differences in clinically relevant endpoints and use standardized urologic symptom scale scores.

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