• Various herbal extracts obtained from the roots, seeds, fruits, or bark of different plants, such as Saw palmetto (Serenoa Repens) contain numerous active ingredients that contribute to the proper functioning of the prostate and the urinary system, such as phytosterols, β-sitosterol, quercetin, lycopene, terpenoids, fatty acids, lectins, plant oils, polysaccharides, flavonoids, phytoestrogens, and sterols.
• The dietary supplement D-PROSTA is a combination of the phyto-therapeutic, Saw palmetto (Serenoa Repens), quercetin, and lycopene, and the non-pharmaceutical factors, zinc and vitamin D, in a suitable concentration, to support the normal function of the prostate and the lower urinary system with the intake of only one dose daily. It has anti-inflammatory, decongestant action and helps in the relief of symptoms caused by chronic and acute benign prostatic hyperplasia, without affecting sexual ability.

• Saw palmetto (Serenoa Repens)

Saw palmetto is a small perennial palm that grows on the southern coasts of the United States and in tropical Central and South America. Its fruit is black and oval or spherical, rich in fatty acids and phytosterols. Based on a wealth of certified scientific data, it has been classified as a key phytotherapeutic for the symptomatic treatment of prostate and lower urinary tract problems. The proposed mechanisms of action include:

• Antiandrogenic action
• Inhibition of type 1 and 2 isoenzymes of 5-alpha reductase
• Inhibition of growth factors
• Anti-inflammatory action
• Anti-estrogenic action
• Anti-proliferative action.

• Quercetin 

A flavonoid found in more than 20 fruits and vegetables, known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. It exhibits antihypertensive, vasodilatory properties, as well as action against obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis. It is noteworthy that despite its highly cytotoxic action against cancer cells, it shows little or no toxicity against normal cells. Additionally, it induces apoptosis while inhibiting cell proliferation through various mechanisms (Table 1). Its therapeutic effect has been studied in many forms of cancer, both in vitro and in vivo, with a wealth of data regarding prostate cancer. Quercetin appears to inhibit the initiation of this type of cancer through the indirect inhibition of two very important genes, AR and PSA. In vivo studies of the administration of a combination of quercetin and chemotherapy have shown the reversal of resistance in cancer cells as well as the limitation of chemotherapy side effects. Clinical studies are needed to determine the required dosage and duration of administration, as well as to identify biomarkers that predict response to treatment. Finally, the clinical use of quercetin has not yet been established due to limited data on its pharmacokinetics.

• Lycopene 

Lycopene is an antioxidant belonging to the carotenoid family and is found in red and yellow fruits and vegetables. It has antioxidant and antiproliferative properties and exhibits anticancer activity through its involvement in the activation and induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and mechanisms of cell adhesion, metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis. It also reduces PSA levels in serum and controls inflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that lycopene could be used in the prevention and even treatment of prostate cancer. In men at increased risk of developing prostate cancer, increased dietary intake of lycopene may lead to changes in circulating levels of valine, oxalic acid, pyrostaphylic acid, and diacetyl glycerol.

Based on studies, lycopene may be causally related to prostate cancer. Therefore, lycopene, by reducing its levels, may help prevent prostate cancer in these individuals. 

• Zinc (sulfate)

It is known that prostatic fluid and the peripheral zone of the prostate contain high levels of zinc (Zn) and citrates. Specifically, the concentration of Zn in prostatic fluid is estimated at 590 µg/g, which is approximately 500 times higher than that in plasma, while in the peripheral zone it is 10-20 times higher than that in other similar structures in the body. This is because the epithelial cells of the peripheral zone accumulate Zn required for the production and secretion of citrates in the prostate, leading to the inhibition of mitochondrial aconitase, which catalyzes the conversion of citrates to isocitrates in the early stages of the Krebs cycle. Therefore, high concentrations of Zn lead to high concentrations of citrates and a high citrate/isocitrate ratio in the epithelial cells of the peripheral zone of the prostate, indicating the very important role of Zn in the normal prostate. The decrease in Zn levels (60-80%), and therefore citrates, is the most characteristic feature of prostate cancer and is inversely related to the progression of the disease. The role of Zn as a regulator of apoptosis possibly makes this decrease a causal factor and not a consequence of the disease. Therefore, adequate dietary intake of Zn is very important for adult men, as it enhances the normal function of the prostate and prevents age-related diseases. 

• Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)

Cholecalciferol is a molecular form of vitamin D and is produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight. It is fat-soluble and is involved in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, participating in bone metabolism, while also playing an important role in other tissues. Signaling through the cholecalciferol receptor appears to be important in prostate cancer. Administration of cholecalciferol to tumor models in mice inhibited tumor growth. In summary, it has been found to be involved in inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53, differentiation, and inhibition of angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. However, the exact mechanism of its anticancer action has not yet been determined.