Pygeum for Anti-Inflammatory

Research suggests that Pygeum africanum bark extract possesses meaningful anti-inflammatory properties, with studies identifying several plausible mechanisms including inhibition of leukotriene production via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-27, and reduction of neutrophil recruitment in animal models of lung inflammation. The available evidence comes primarily from in vitro cell studies, animal experiments, and narrative reviews rather than rigorous randomized controlled trials, which limits how confidently findings can be extended to humans. A 2023 comprehensive review spanning five decades of research confirmed anti-inflammatory activity as one of the most consistently documented biological properties of Pygeum, largely attributed to phytosterols like β-sitosterol and their apparent ability to reduce prostaglandin production, with whole bark extracts appearing more effective than isolated compounds. Studies indicate that while the anti-inflammatory profile of Pygeum is reasonably well characterized at the preclinical level and is frequently invoked to help explain its use in conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis, the clinical evidence directly linking these mechanisms to measurable anti-inflammatory outcomes in human patients remains limited and more controlled human trials would be needed to draw firm conclusions.