Potency of a Novel Saw Palmetto Ethanol Extract, SPET-085, for Inhibition of 5α-Reductase II
July 2010
in “
Advances in Therapy
”
TLDR SPET-085 effectively inhibits an enzyme linked to prostate issues, similar to finasteride.
The study evaluated the in vitro potency of a novel saw palmetto ethanol extract, SPET-085, as an inhibitor of the 5α-reductase isoenzyme type II, which is linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). SPET-085 demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of 5α-reductase type II with an IC50 of 2.88±0.45 μg/mL, showing effectiveness comparable to a highly bioactive hexane extract of saw palmetto and greater than other saw palmetto extracts. The results indicated that SPET-085's inhibitory effect on the enzyme was significant and required a low amount of extract, suggesting its potential as a prostate health-promoting agent similar to the prescription drug finasteride.
