Table 1.

Provides an abbreviated summary of phytotherapies for LUTS.

Name	Origin	Proposed Mechanisms of Action for BPH
Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto)	Fruit from a dwarf palm tree	Non-competitive inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [3] Inhibition of androgen receptor dihydrotestosterone binding [4] Reduction of prostate inflammation [5]
Pygeum Africanum (Prunus Africana)	Bark from an evergreen tree, part of the Rosacea family	Anti-androgen by inhibiting androgen and progesterone receptors [6] Inhibition of prostate cell proliferation and apoptosis of stromal cells [7,8] Anti-inflammatory through inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase [9] In the bladder, histamine-mediated protective response to the detrusor muscle [10]
Cucurbita pepo	Oil from pumpkin seeds	Competitively inhibit dihydrotestosterone binding [11] Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [12] IFN-γ-mediated anti-inflammatory effects [13] Muscle relaxation through nitric oxide release [14]
Urtica dioica	Roots of the common stinging nettle	Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative [15] Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [16] Inhibition of prostate growth [16] The leaves of this plant also contain β-sitosterol, which inhibits prostate cell proliferation
Epilobium angustifolium	Aerial parts of the flowering willow herb	Down-regulation of androgens [17] Anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative [17] Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [18]
Hypoxis hemerocallidea	Tuber (underground part of the stem) of the African star grass (African potato)	Anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2 activity [19] Contains β-sitosterol, which inhibits prostate cell proliferation [19,20]
Pinus pinaster	Twigs and resin from the maritime pine, part of the Pinaceae family	Contains β-sitosterol, which inhibits prostate cell proliferation [20]
Solanum lycopersicum (Lycopersicum esculentum)	Tomatoes (Lycopene, also found in watermelon, peaches, and red berries)	Contains lycopene, which is the active substance Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [21] Reduction of prostate growth by inhibition of growth factors [21] Inducing apoptosis of prostate cells [21]
Roystonea regia	Mature fruit of a palm tree	Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [22] Reduced contraction of smooth muscle in the deferens tube [23]
Secale cereale	Pollen from the rye plant of the Graminaceae family	Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [21] Relaxation of urethral sphincter tone [21] Apoptosis of prostate epithelial cells [21] Block of alpha-adrenergic receptors [21]
Linum usitatissimum	Oil from the common flax	Anti-inflammatory [24] Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase [24] Inhibition of growth through growth factor modification [24]
Isoflavones	Soy products	Oestrogen receptor activation-mediated apoptosis [25]