Variability of Commercial Saw Palmetto–Based Supplements for the Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Abstract

Some men with mild-to-moderate benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms use saw palmetto supplements to proactively manage their symptoms as an alternative to watchful waiting and/or to avoid prescription medication side effects. This study assessed the potency and authenticity of commercially available saw palmetto–based supplements in the United States. Twenty-eight saw palmetto berry powders, powdered extracts, berry blends, lipid extracts, and multiactive products (lycopene, pumpkin oil, etc) were purchased from major online retailers and retail stores. Total fatty acid content (% weight/weight) and individual fatty acid profile of each product were determined using validated gas chromatography-fatty acid methyl ester methodology and compared with the US Pharmacopeia monograph standards for lipidosterolic extracts of Serenoa repens. Total fatty acid content ranged from 0.796% for a berry powder product to 89.923% for a lipid extract product. None of the berry powders or powdered extracts, 6 of 9 lipid extracts, and 1 multiactive product met criteria for ≥80% total fatty acid content. Only 1 of the 28 products met the US Pharmacopeia criteria for a standardized lipidosterolic extract, defined as total fatty acid content ≥80% and a fatty acid profile indicative of authentic S. repens based on the ratios of the lauric acid concentration to 9 other individual fatty acid concentrations. There is substantial heterogeneity in fatty acid content and profile in saw palmetto supplements. Lipidosterolic extracts of saw palmetto berries standardized to ≥80% fatty acids are most likely to meet established criteria for quality and identity.