Benefits
BPH symptom severity reduction (Detering 109-man RCT)
Detering et al., BioFactors. 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 109 men aged 41-76 with BPH symptoms. 250 mg/day Ageratum conyzoides aerial extract reduced symptom severity across all questions of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) vs placebo. Foundational pivotal evidence for the ingredient.
Reduced daytime and nighttime urinary frequency
The same Detering RCT reported significant reductions in both daytime urinary frequency and nighttime frequency (nocturia) — addressing two of the most quality-of-life-impacting BPH symptoms. Total urinary frequency decreased significantly vs placebo.
Health Canada LNHPD approved claims (2021)
March 2021: AGEprost® listed on Health Canada's Licensed Natural Health Products Database with three approved claims — supports prostate health, clinically shown to support prostate health, and helps relieve urologic symptoms associated with BPH. Health Canada's evidence requirements are stricter than US dietary supplement claim standards.
Multi-mechanism: 5-α-reductase inhibition + smooth muscle relaxation
Preclinical work indicates two complementary mechanisms: 5-alpha-reductase inhibition (the same enzyme target as finasteride and dutasteride, blocking testosterone-to-DHT conversion) and smooth muscle relaxation at the bladder neck and urethra (complementary to the action of alpha-1 blockers like tamsulosin). Most other prostate ingredients target only one of these.
Mechanism of action
5-alpha-reductase inhibition
Inhibits the enzyme converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Same target class as finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart). Reduced DHT exposure is associated with reduced prostatic growth driver.
Bladder neck smooth muscle relaxation
Relaxes smooth muscle at the bladder neck, improving urinary flow. Mechanistically complementary to alpha-1 receptor antagonists (tamsulosin), which target the same anatomical region via a different receptor.
Urethra smooth muscle relaxation
Relaxes smooth muscle around the urethra, reducing functional obstruction and improving flow. Combined with bladder neck relaxation, this addresses the dynamic component of BPH-related obstruction.
Multi-compound phytochemistry
Active compounds include terpenoids, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, and lignans. The hydroalcoholic extraction of aerial parts captures a broad-spectrum profile rather than isolating a single bioactive — distinguishing from single-compound prostate ingredients.
Clinical trials
Detering M et al., BioFactors. Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study, n=109 men aged 41-76 with BPH symptoms, 250 mg/day Ageratum conyzoides aerial extract vs placebo for 12 weeks. Reduced symptom severity across all IPSS questions. Significant decreases in daytime urinary frequency, nighttime frequency, and total urinary frequency. Foundational pivotal evidence supporting Health Canada LNHPD claims and the ingredient's commercial positioning.
March 2021 listing on Health Canada Licensed Natural Health Products Database with three approved claims: supports prostate health, clinically shown to support prostate health, and relieves urologic symptoms associated with BPH. LNHPD requires substantiating evidence review beyond US dietary supplement standards.
Self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status by Gencor (now Saanroo Health Sciences). Self-affirmed GRAS is documented and supported by safety data but is not the same as FDA-reviewed GRAS. Aerial parts hydroalcoholic extract has supporting in vitro and in vivo safety data.