1. Standardised Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Primary Active Compounds: Free fatty acids (laurate, myristate, palmitate, oleate) and sterols, standardised to 45%–85% lipidic concentration.
Mechanism: Non-competitively inhibits 5-alpha-reductase (both Type I and II isoenzymes), decreasing intraprostatic DHT formation. Additionally exerts local spasmolytic effects on prostatic smooth muscle.
Clinical Focus: Reduction of nighttime awakenings, improvement in international IPSS symptom score, and support for peak urinary flow rate (Qmax).
2. Beta-Sitosterol (Phytosterol Complex)
Primary Active Compounds: Plant sterols structurally akin to cholesterol, derived from certified non-GMO pine or vegetable sources.
Mechanism: Regulates prostaglandins and local eicosanoid cascades in prostatic stroma. Modulates detrusor bladder muscle excitability.
Clinical Focus: Clinically proven in Cochrane systematic reviews to significantly reduce post-void residual urine volume and improve bladder emptying ease.
3. Pumpkin Seed Extract (Cucurbita pepo)
Primary Active Compounds: Delta-7-sterols, tocopherols, cucurbitin, and linoleic acid.
Mechanism: Provides dense trace nutrient support while working synergistically with Saw Palmetto to soothe urinary tract smooth muscle tone.
Clinical Focus: Documented efficacy in German Commission E monographs for easing irritable bladder and improving stream consistency.
4. Chelated Zinc Bisglycinate & Selenium
Primary Active Compounds: Bioavailable organic zinc chelate and L-selenomethionine.
Mechanism: Healthy prostate tissue naturally concentrates zinc up to 10-fold higher than other soft organs. Zinc participates in DNA repair and mitochondrial citrate synthesis in glandular epithelial cells.
Clinical Focus: Protection against cellular oxidative damage and maintenance of healthy testosterone metabolism.
5. Standardised Tomato Lycopene
Primary Active Compounds: All-trans and cis-isomers of red tomato carotenoid lycopene.
Mechanism: Highly lipophilic antioxidant that selectively accumulates within prostatic parenchyma, neutralizing singlet oxygen radicals and inhibiting oxidative DNA oxidation.
Clinical Focus: Cellular longevity, maintenance of healthy epithelial tissue, and support for balanced cellular apoptosis.
6. Pygeum Africanum (Prunus africana Bark)
Primary Active Compounds: Triterpenes (ursolic and oleanolic acids), ferulic acid esters, and phytosterols.
Mechanism: Down-regulates basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) induced cell proliferation in the prostate stroma.
Clinical Focus: Reducing bladder neck resistance and daytime urinary urgency.
Regulatory Note: Dietary food supplements containing these botanical extracts are intended to provide nutritional support and must not be used as a replacement for a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle. Always consult your NHS GP prior to commencing supplementation if you are currently taking prescribed medication or under clinical supervision.