PYGEUM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Pygeum is the name for extracts, teas, and supplements that come from the bark of a tree native to Africa called Prunus africana.

Pygeum contains chemicals that help shrink the prostate in males with enlarged prostates. This might relieve urinary problems such as poor urine flow and nighttime urination.

People most commonly use pygeum for treating symptoms of enlarged prostate (BPH). It is also used for fever, malaria, kidney disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Likely Effective for

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). Taking pygeum by mouth reduces symptoms of BPH such as low urine flow and the inability to fully empty the bladder when urinating.

There is interest in using pygeum for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Pygeum is likely safe for most people. Doses of 75-200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 12 months.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Pygeum is likely safe for most people. Doses of 75-200 mg daily have been used safely for up to 12 months.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if pygeum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

We currently have no information for PYGEUM overview.

Dosing

Pygeum has most often been used by adults in doses of 75-200 mg by mouth daily for up to 12 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Frasseto G, Bertoglio S, Mancuso S, and et al. [Study of the efficacy and tolerability of Tadenan 50 in patients with prostatic hypertrophy]. Progresso Medico 1986;42:49-53.

Melo, E. A., Bertero, E. B., Rios, L. A., and Mattos, D., Jr. Evaluating the efficiency of a combination of Pygeum africanum and stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) extracts in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial. Int Braz.J Urol. 2002;28(5):418-425. View abstract.

Papaioannou, M., Schleich, S., Prade, I., Degen, S., Roell, D., Schubert, U., Tanner, T., Claessens, F., Matusch, R., and Baniahmad, A. The natural compound atraric acid is an antagonist of the human androgen receptor inhibiting cellular invasiveness and prostate cancer cell growth. J.Cell Mol.Med. 7-4-2008. View abstract.

Paubert-Braquet M, Monboisse JC, Servant-Saez N, and et al. Inhibition of bFGF and EGF-induced proliferation of 3T3 fibroblasts by extract of Pygeum africanum (Tadenan). Biomed Pharmacother 1994;48(Suppl 1):43-47.

Paubert-Braquet, M., Cave, A., Hocquemiller, R., Delacroix, D., Dupont, C., Hedef, N., and Borgeat, P. Effect of Pygeum africanum extract on A23187-stimulated production of lipoxygenase metabolites from human polymorphonuclear cells. J Lipid Mediat.Cell Signal. 1994;9(3):285-290. View abstract.

Pavone-Macaluso M. Cyproterone acetate versus Pygeum africanum in the treatment of BPH. A multicentric, randomized study [abstract]. British Journal of Urology 1997;80(suppl 2):207.

Ranno S, Minaldi G, Viscusi G, and et al. [Efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of prostatic adenoma with Tadenan 50]. Progresso Medico 1986;42:165-169.

Rhodes, L., Primka, R. L., Berman, C., Vergult, G., Gabriel, M., Pierre-Malice, M., and Gibelin, B. Comparison of finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, and various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5 alpha reductase inhibition. Prostate 1993;22(1):43-51. View abstract.

Rigatti P, Zennaro F, Fraschini O, and et al. L'impegio del Tadenan nell'adenoma prostatico. Ricerca clinica controllata. Atti della Accademia medica lombarda 1983;38:1-4.

Rizzo M. Terapia medica dell'adenoma della prostata: valutazione clinica comparativa tra estratto di Pygeum africanum ad alte dosi e placebo. Farmacia Terapia 1985;2:105-110.

Schleich, S., Papaioannou, M., Baniahmad, A., and Matusch, R. Extracts from Pygeum africanum and other ethnobotanical species with antiandrogenic activity. Planta Med 2006;72(9):807-813. View abstract.

Shenouda, N. S., Sakla, M. S., Newton, L. G., Besch-Williford, C., Greenberg, N. M., MacDonald, R. S., and Lubahn, D. B. Phytosterol Pygeum africanum regulates prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo. Endocrine. 2007;31(1):72-81. View abstract.

Thieblot, L., Grizard, G., and Boucher, D. [Effect of V 1326 (active principle of Pygeum africanum bark extract) on hypophyseo-genito-adrenal axis in rats]. Therapie 1977;32(1):99-110. View abstract.

Yoshimura, Y., Yamaguchi, O., Bellamy, F., and Constantinou, C. E. Effect of Pygeum africanum tadenan on micturition and prostate growth of the rat secondary to coadministered treatment and post-treatment with dihydrotestosterone. Urology 2003;61(2):474-478. View abstract.

Barlet A, Albrecht J, Aubert A, et al. [Efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract in the medical therapy of urination disorders due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: evaluation of objective and subjective parameters. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study]. Wien Klin Wochenschr 1990;102:667-73. View abstract.

Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 1995;345:1529-32. View abstract.

Breza J, Dzurny O, Borowka A, et al. Efficacy and acceptability of tadenan (Pygeum africanum extract) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): a multicentre trial in central Europe. Curr Med Res Opin 1998;14:127-39. View abstract.

Chatelain C, Autet W, Brackman F. Comparison of once and twice daily dosage forms of Pygeum africanum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open label extension. Urology 1999;54:473-8. View abstract.

Coulson S, Rao A, Beck SL, et al. A phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the efficacy and safety of ProstateEZE Max: a herbal medicine preparation for the management of symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy. Compl Ther Med 2013;21:172-9. View abstract.

Dufour B, Choquenet C, Revol M, et al. Controlled study of the effects of Pygeum africanum extract on the functional symptoms of prostatic adenoma. Ann Urol (Paris) 1984;18:193-5. View abstract.

Dutkiewicz S. Usefulness of Cernilton in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Int Urol Nephrol 1996;28:49-53.. View abstract.

Ishani A, MacDonald R, Nelson D, et al. Pygeum africanum for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis. Am J Med 2000;109:654-64.. View abstract.

Levin RM, Das AK. A scientific basis for the therapeutic effects of Pygeum africanum and Serenoa repens. Urol Res 2000;28:201-9. View abstract.

Ngai DN, Kibiti CM, Ngugi MP. Cognitive enhancing effects and anticholinesterase activity of stem bark and leaf extracts of Prunus africana. Heliyon 2022;8(12):e12289. View abstract.

Santa Maria Margalef A, Paciucci Barzanti R, Reventos Puigjaner J, et al. [Antimitogenic effect of Pygeum africanum extracts on human prostatic cancer cell lines and explants from benign prostatic hyperplasia]. Arch Esp Urol 2003;56:369-78. View abstract.

Wilt T, Ishani A, Mac Donald R, et al. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;CD001044.. View abstract.

Yablonsky F, Nicolas V, Riffaud JP, Bellamy F. Antiproliferative effect of Pygeum africanum extract on rat prostatic fibroblasts. J Urol 1997;157:2381-7. View abstract.

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PYGEUM - Uses, Side Effects, and More