Mono - Pygeum Prunus Africana - English
Mono - Pygeum Prunus Africana - English
Mono - Pygeum Prunus Africana - English
This monograph is intended to serve as a guide to industry for the preparation of Product Licence
Applications (PLAs) and labels for natural health product market authorization. It is not intended
to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.
Notes
Text in parentheses is additional optional information which can be included on the PLA and
product label at the applicant’s discretion.
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or
statement may be selected by the applicant.
Route of administration
Oral
Dosage form(s)
This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of
Monographs Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms for the age category listed in this monograph and specified route of
administration are indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.
Use(s) or Purpose(s)
Standardized extracts
Helps reduce the urologic symptoms (such as weak urine flow, incomplete voiding, frequent
daytime and nighttime urination) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (Wilt et al. 2002;
Ishani et al. 2000; Chatelain et al. 1999; Breza et al. 1998; Carani et al. 1991; Barlet et al. 1990).
Non-standardized preparations
Dose(s)
Subpopulation(s)
Non-standardized preparations
Quantity(ies)
75 - 200 milligrams of extract per day, standardized to 12-14% of phytosterols (Wilt et al. 2002;
Ishani et al. 2000; Chatelain et al. 1999; Breza et al. 1998; Carani et al. 1991; Barlet et al. 1990).
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid
extract, Decoction, Infusion)
Not to exceed 4 grams of dried stem bark and/or trunk bark, per day.1
1Note
Maximum daily dose of the crude material is based on a conservative extrapolation of the dose
supported in the available evidence.
No statement required.
Duration(s) of use
No statement required.
Risk information
Standardized extracts making a claim for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (adult
males)
Contraindication(s)
No statement required.
No statement required.
Non-medicinal ingredients
Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and
must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Storage conditions
No statement required.
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements
described in the Natural and Non-Prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality
of Natural Health Products Guide.
The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.
Please note that this organism, one of its parts, or the organism or part from which this
ingredient is derived, is considered at risk and is listed in Appendix II of CITES. Details are
available from the following reference(s): http://www.ec.gc.ca/cites/
default.asp?lang=En&n=C5F64D6F-1#_004.
References cited
Barlet A, Albrecht J, Aubert A, Fischer M, Grof F, Grothuesmann HG, Masson JC, Mazeman E,
Mermon R, Reichelt H. 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. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrrift
1990;102(22):667-73.
Carani C, Salvioli V, Scuteri A, Borelli A, Baldini A, Granata AR, Marrama P. Urological and
sexual evaluation of treatment of benign prostatic disease using Pygeum africanum at high doses.
Archivio italiano di urologia, nefrologia, andrologia 1991 Sep;63(3):341-5
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 Sep;54(3):473-8.
Godfrey A, Saunders PR, with Barlow K, Gilbert C, Gowan M, Smith F. Principles and Practices
of Naturopathic Botanical Medicine. Volume 1: Botanical Medicine Monographs. Toronto (ON):
CCNM Press; 2010.
Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 22nd edition. Philadelphia (PA): Saunders;
2004.
Ishani A, MacDonald R, Nelson D, Rutks I, Wilt TJ. Pygeum africanum for the treatment of
patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis.
American Journal of Medicine 2000;109: 654-66
Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill
Livingstone; 2005.
Wilt T, Ishani A, MacDonald R, Rutks I, Stark G. Pygeum africanum for benign prostatic
hyperplasia (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2002;(1):CD001044
References reviewed
Brinker, F. 2009. Updates and Additions for Herb Contradictions and Drug Interactions, 3rd ed.
With extensive appendices addressing influences on phase i, ii & iii metabolism [Accessed 2013
August 14]. Available from: http://www.eclecticherb.com/emp/updatesHCDI.html
Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic
Medical Publications; 2001.