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Introduction: Pygeum africanum, a member of rosaceae family, is an ever green tree native to Africa and western Indian Ocean lands. It grows about 900–3400 meters of altitude. The mature tree is 10–25 meter high, open branched and with a round crown of 10–20 meter diameter in grasslands. Pygeum bark extract has been used in Europe since the mid-1960s to treat men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) the aim of this study was to assess the plants treatment potentials.
Material and Methods: this data was collected by searching in medical databases such as: British medical journal, Pubmed, etc. and published books such as USP, JP, etc.
Results: Chemicals: Active constituents of Pygeum include phytosterols (e.g. β-sitosterol), pentacyclic triterpenes (ursolic and oleanic acids) and feroic acid esters (n-docosanol and tetracosanol).
Specifications: Identification of sterols is done by gas chromatography. The derivatizing solution is a mixture of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetamide and trimethylchlorosilane (9:1). The internal standard solution contains 2mg per ml of 5α-cholestane in chloroform. Identification of docosyl ferulate is done by liquid chromatography. Solution A is a mixture of methanol and water (95:5) and solution B contains filtered and degassed acetonitrile. The mobile phase is a mixture of solution A and solution B (85:15).
Bioactive chemicals: Estrogenic activity: β-sitosterol, stigmasterol. Androgenic activity: β-sitosterol. Analgesic and protisticide activity: ursolic acid. Antispasmodic activity: daucosterol.
Conclusion: The name of the remedy, Pygeum, comes from the name of the plant, which was discovered to botany by Gustav Mann during his now famous first European exploration of the Cameroon range.
Indications: Pygeum africanum is mostly used for BPH and prostatic adenoma (nacturia, dysuria, pollakiuria, micturitional disorders, and/or bladder fullness). It can also be used for chronic prostatitis and obstruction-induced contractile dysfunction.
Mechanism: Its exact mechanism of action is still unclear, in animal model Pygeum has been shown to modulate bladder contractility by reducing the sensitivity of the bladder to electrical stimulation, phenylephrine, adenosine triphosphate and carbachol. Pygeum also can decrease production of leukotriens and other 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. Fibroblast production and adrenal androgen secretion can be affected by Pygeum africanum extract.
References: [1] Monograph Pygeum africanum (2002) Altern. Med. Rev. 7:71–74.
[2] United States pharmacopeail convention. United states pharmacopeia (2007) 31st ed.- The national formulary, 26th ed. vol.1. Washington: Rockville.
[3] Monograph of Pygeum africanum (2008) available at: http://pygeum.net/Monograph_pygeum_africanum1.htm.accesssed
[4]Prunus africana (Hook.F) Kalkman (2008) available at: http://www.ars-grin.gov.accessed