The best mix of propylene glycol and sorbitol was found for a cream to prevent hair loss using saw palmetto extract.
Saw palmetto cream for hair loss works better with glycerol and sorbitol.
This study found that glycerol most significantly influenced the spreadability and initial viscosity of a saw palmetto anti-hair loss cream, while PEG 400 predominantly affected viscosity changes over time.
In this study, the researchers found that glycerol strongly influenced the physical characteristics of an anti hair loss cream containing Saw Palmetto extract, notably improving its spreadability, viscosity, and stability without causing skin irritation.
January 2005 in “Metas de Enfermería” This review discusses the use of Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, noting similar efficacy to other treatments but highlights the need for further rigorous trials to confirm effectiveness.
6 citations
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June 2022 in “Journal of Clinical Medicine” This study found that for men with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH, 6 months of treatment with tamsulosin plus the hexanic extract of S. repens was as effective as tamsulosin plus a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor but had better tolerability.
6 citations
,
January 1998 in “Journal of applied cosmetology”
95 citations
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February 2018 in “Dermatology and Therapy” This review discusses the role of nutraceuticals in combating skin aging but reports no new clinical results, focusing on their mechanisms of action and potential effectiveness for dermatologists.
67 citations
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February 2015 in “Life Sciences” This review discusses phytotherapy options for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia, noting some herbal agents show promise in trials for mild-moderate symptoms but more evidence is needed for others.
54 citations
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September 2002 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy” This review discusses various herbal therapies, such as Serenoa repens and Pygeum africanum, for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, noting their potential but highlighting unresolved questions about their efficacy and safety.
47 citations
,
August 2016 in “Fitoterapia” This article reviews mechanisms by which herbal ingredients may stimulate or inhibit hair growth, and it reports no new clinical findings while suggesting potential for developing hair loss treatments.
39 citations
,
September 2013 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This review summarizes causes and treatments of androgenetic alopecia with a focus on herbs as potential alternatives, but reports no new results and suggests more research is needed to validate these options.
35 citations
,
January 2010 in “British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology” This case report described a probable case of acute liver injury associated with high-dose S. repens, highlighting the safety concerns of self-medicating with herbal supplements like saw palmetto.
22 citations
,
March 2000 in “Clinics in Dermatology” This study developed a method using HPLC with UV-DAD and ESI-MS detection to identify prohibited substances like minoxidil and hormones in cosmetic products advertised online for hair loss and skin conditions.
18 citations
,
May 2015 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology” This study found that topical application of Serenoa repens extract increased hair count in men with androgenetic alopecia, suggesting it could be an alternative for those unable to use standard medications.
15 citations
,
November 2015 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This study reviews existing literature on botanicals for androgenetic alopecia, noting a growing interest and emphasizing research on hair growth stimulants, especially involving green tea and other specific botanicals.
4 citations
,
January 2015 in “Pharmacology” This report describes a case where a food supplement containing Serenoa repens extract was associated with hot flashes and menarche in a 10-year-old girl being treated for hirsutism.
3 citations
,
January 2022 in “Precision medicine and clinical omics” This study reports that using molecular docking methods, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol from Serenoa repens were identified as potential natural inhibitors of the 5AR1 enzyme, which could serve as novel treatments for androgenetic alopecia based on their inhibitory action observed in a laboratory setting.
3 citations
,
November 2018 in “Journal of cellular physiology” In laboratory settings, this study suggests that Serenoa repens and N-acetyl glucosamine with milk proteins may promote hair follicle vascularization through specific cellular interactions and actions.
3 citations
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January 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” The abstract discusses that Serenoa repens, a commonly used phytotherapeutic agent, may play a crucial role as an alternative or complementary treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, particularly those with mild-to-moderate disease severity.
3 citations
,
January 2017 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology” This study reports that a nutritional complex may improve hair density and quality, with in vitro findings demonstrating inhibition of 5α-reductase, and participants noting reduced hair loss and greasiness.
2 citations
,
July 2023 in “Phytotherapy Research” This study found that people taking Serenoa repens for more than 14 days had a higher likelihood of serious adverse reactions, particularly when also using multiple or interacting supplements, although higher SR doses were linked to lower risk.
2 citations
,
January 2023 in “Uro” This study found that both a proprietary ultrahigh-pressure extract and a hexanic extract of saw palmetto showed comparable inhibition of 5α-reductase, suggesting similar potential for managing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
2 citations
,
March 2021 in “Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology” This study suggests that nanoliposomes encapsulating saw palmetto CO2 extract could be effective for delivering drugs to treat hair loss due to their small size, dispersion, and negative charge.
2 citations
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December 2020 in “Phytomedicine plus” In this study, researchers found that taking Saw palmetto and Pygeum africana supplements for five days altered the urinary steroid profile in a way that may interfere with the steroidal module of the Athlete Biological Passport.
2 citations
,
August 2013 in “International Journal of Herbal Medicine” This review discusses the historical concepts of hirsutism in Unani Medicine and evaluates herbal treatments, indicating these may influence underlying endocrine issues but current evidence remains insufficient.
1 citations
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September 2025 in “Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia” In this study, the combination of Serenoa repens extract with Phenolmicin P3 and Bosexil suppositories significantly improved lower urinary tract symptoms and decreased PSA levels in patients with benign prostatic obstruction-related symptoms.
February 2026 in “Revista Eletrônica Polidisciplinar Voos.” In this integrative narrative review, researchers reported that aromatase inhibition using dutasteride and Serenoa repens after hair transplant can effectively preserve follicles and minimize side effects, suggesting personalized strategies may optimize clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.
February 2026 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology” This study found that a proprietary saw palmetto extract significantly improved hair growth in men and women with self-perceived thinning hair over a 6-month period, outperforming placebo on key hair growth parameters without any treatment-related adverse events.