Homeopathic Saw Palmetto May Impact Prostate Cancer

WASHINGTON—Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center report homeopathic preparations of saw palmetto may reduce prostate cancer growth (Integ Cancer Ther, 5, 4:362-72, 2006) (DOI:10.1177/1534735406295350). In the study, researchers assessed the antiproliferative effects of a homeopathic preparation of Sabal serrulata (saw palmetto) in vivo, on nude mouse xenografts and in vitro on PC-3 and DU-145 human prostate cancer cells.

Treatment with Sabal serrulata in vitro resulted in a 33-percent decrease of PC-3 cell proliferation at 72 hours and a 23-percent reduction of DU-145 cell proliferation at 24 hours; researchers attribute the difference in reduction to the specific doubling time of each cell line. In vivo, prostate tumor xenograft size was significantly reduced in mice treated with Sabal serrulata compared to untreated controls (P=.012). The researchers suggest a homeopathic preparation of Sabal serrulata may have efficacy in prostate health.

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