Definition:

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herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract is a natural compound derived from the dried, mature fruit of the saw palmetto plant. It is widely used in medical and healthcare applications. Propagated by seed, the fruit contains high levels of free fatty acids and bioactive compounds. It is used in clinical practice as an adjunct treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia and related urinary tract disorders, exhibiting anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and diuretic effects.

Particularities of herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, BP, EP, Food grade, In-house

▶Men's Health

herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract Applications:

Supporting the alleviation of symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) represents the most extensively researched and widely applied area for saw palmetto extract. The unsaturated fatty acids (such as oleic acid and linoleic acid) and phytosterols (such as β-sitosterol) within saw palmetto extract exert effects through multiple pathways. They inhibit 5α-reductase activity (the enzyme converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, DHT, which promotes prostate enlargement), reduce DHT's stimulation of the prostate, improve relaxation of the urethral smooth muscle, and alleviate urinary obstruction symptoms.

■ Source

The sawtooth palm is a small palm tree belonging to the Rhapis genus within the palm family. Its leaves are yellowish-green and form a fan shape. Originally from North America, it is found along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, and grows best in hot, dry climates with plenty of sunlight. The sawtooth palm is native to the tropical regions of North and South America, but it is not found in China. Domestic production relies on imported raw materials for the extraction and manufacture of related products.

herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®Saw palmetto powder 25%/40%/45% (Fatty acid)

Products for sexual and urinary health are the most well-known and extensively researched area of application for herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract. Primarily targeting benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and related urinary discomfort in middle-aged and elderly men, these products primarily take the form of oral supplements. Single-ingredient dietary supplements feature saw palmetto extract as the sole active component, with clearly labelled active ingredient content. Dosages typically align with the clinically recommended range of 160-320 mg of standardised extract per day. Common formulations include capsules (the most prevalent form, which mask the extract's natural oily taste), tablets and softgels (which blend the extract with carrier oil to enhance absorption and bioavailability). Compound formula dietary supplements combine saw palmetto extract with other ingredients that work together to support prostate health. Ingredients that are commonly combined include pumpkin seed extract and lycopene.

■ Active ingredients

The active components of saw palmetto extract are mainly fatty acids, phytosterols and polyphenolic compounds. Fatty acids typically constitute 25%-45% of the extract and are its main active constituents. They include saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid. These fatty acids have anti-inflammatory and endocrine-regulating properties, which help reduce inflammation in prostate tissue and support the normal functioning of the genitourinary system. Phytosterols, such as β-sitosterol and campesterol, inhibit the activity of 5α-reductase, thereby reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is a hormone that plays a key role in prostate hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. This makes phytosterols a core ingredient for addressing these issues. Polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids and tannins, have antioxidant properties. They scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative damage to cells. This indirectly maintains the health of tissues and organs. Saw palmetto extract contains other bioactive components too, including lignans, essential oils, alkaloids and newly isolated compounds such as triterpenoster, scopoletin and cannabispiran. These compounds may exhibit additional biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour effects.

The active components in herbgreey®Saw palmetto extract, such as flavonoids and terpenoids, exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could help to regulate chronic inflammation. In vitro studies suggest that saw palmetto extract inhibits key enzymes in inflammatory pathways (e.g. cyclooxygenase COX-2), thereby reducing the release of inflammatory mediators. This may provide mild relief for pelvic discomfort associated with prostatitis. Saw palmetto extracts scavenge free radicals (e.g. superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical) within the body, thereby mitigating cellular damage caused by oxidative stress. In theory, this could help to delay tissue ageing.

▶ Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties

In its native regions (such as the south-eastern United States and the Caribbean), indigenous peoples have traditionally used the fruit of the saw palmetto plant to alleviate urinary discomfort, such as frequent or painful urination. It is also used as a natural 'tonic' to improve fatigue and enhance physical strength.

▶ Traditional uses

■ Extraction process characteristics

The production process of saw palmetto extract involves core steps including raw material pretreatment, active ingredient extraction, purification and refinement, drying and shaping, and quality inspection. The selection of different processes directly impacts the extract's purity, retention rate of active components, and stability.

Pretreating the raw material is fundamental to ensuring extraction efficiency. The source material for saw palmetto extract is the dried, mature fruit of the plant (typically imported from regions of origin such as Florida in the USA and Mexico), which undergoes screening and grading, washing and drying, and pulverisation and grinding. The active components of saw palmetto are lipid-soluble substances such as unsaturated fatty acids (e.g. oleic acid and linoleic acid) and phytosterols. Therefore, the extraction process aims to efficiently separate these components. Currently, two mainstream methods exist. The traditional method is solvent extraction, which uses lipophilic solvents (such as ethanol, n-hexane and ethyl acetate) to dissolve the fat-soluble components, followed by solvent separation. The other method is supercritical CO2 extraction, which utilises the solvent properties of CO2 in a supercritical state to dissolve the lipophilic active components.

Crude extracts may contain minor impurities, such as polysaccharides, pigments and low-molecular-weight carbohydrates. These require purification to ensure the content of active components meets the required standards, typically an unsaturated fatty acid content of 25-45%. Crude saw palmetto extracts are often oily or paste-like and must be converted into a powder (for subsequent processing into capsules or tablets). The two main drying methods are spray drying and vacuum freeze drying.

General Information:

☑  herbgreey®Saw palmetto powder 10:1/20:1/30:1/50:1