D-mannose
Monosaccharide with six carbon atoms. The mechanism of action underlying its anti-infective activity is represented by the competitive inhibition of bacterial adhesion (which is carried out by fimbriae or pili), particularly Escherichia coli, to urothelial cells. D-mannose acts by preventing the E. coli adhesion on bladder cell receptors; facilitating E. coli detachment and subsequent elimination with the normal urinary flow; and contributing to the restoring of damaged mucous membranes providing a greater protection from following bacterial insults.
EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM
Epilobium angustifolium is a perennial herb native to submountainous regions of Europe and western Asia and now widely distributed in temperate areas around the world.
The aerial parts, the used ones, contain three main polyphenolic families: flavonides, phenolic acids and ellagitannins.
Ellagitannins are mainly represented by the macrocyclic Oenothein B ellagitannins. Epilobium angustifolium dry powder extract is obtained by hydroalcoholic extraction and standardized to contain 15% Oenothein B.
In traditional medicine Epilobium has been used as an antiprostatic agent for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Enotein B is the secondary metabolite responsible for its bioactivity. Enotein B exerts immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effects of Epilobium extracts have been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in many studies.
Eschscholzia californica
Eschscholzia californica extract contains an alkaloid (PROTROPINE) that acts on the receptor systems responsible for regulating the urination stimulus.
It is able to reduce irritative symptoms such as urinary urgency.
NELUMBO
Nelumbo (Nelumbo nucifera), also known as lotus flower is a native India plant that owes its properties to the presence of nuciferin.
Nuciferin acts on the dopaminergic system since it is able to block dopamine D2 receptors responsible for the onset of the urination stimulus.
SERENOA REPENS.
Serenoa repens (English: saw palmetto), grows mainly in the southeastern of United States. The lipid-sterol extract of Serenoa repens due to its fatty acid composition and phytosterol content, including betasitosterol, has an important androgenic action expressed through the inhibition of 5-alpha reductase, a key enzyme that helps to convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
It has also been shown that the fatty acids present in Serenoa repens are able to interact directly with testosterone by forming esters that no longer allow its transformation into DHT.
Further studies have shown that Serenoa repens extract has antiestrogenic properties and anti-growth factors responsible for proliferation and inflammation.