Home Ingredients AGEprost® (Ageratum conyzoides Aerial Extract)
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AGEprost® (Ageratum conyzoides Aerial Extract)

Ageratum conyzoides L. — Asteraceae (Tropical whiteweed / Goat weed / Billygoat weed)
Evidence Level
Limited
3 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

AGEprost® is a hydroalcoholic aerial extract of Ageratum conyzoides (Tropical whiteweed) developed by Gencor (now Saanroo Health Sciences). At 250 mg/day, a placebo-controlled trial reported reduced International Prostate Symptom Score and decreased daytime and nighttime urinary frequency. Self-affirmed GRAS; Health Canada-approved prostate health claims (2021).

Studied Dose 250 mg/day.
Active Compound Ageratum conyzoides L. (Tropical whiteweed) hydroalcoholic aerial extract — terpenoids, sterols, flavonoids, coumarins, lignans.

Benefits

Lower urinary symptom scores in men (Detering trial)

In one 12-week double-blind trial of 109 men aged 41 to 76 with diagnosed BPH, 250 mg/day lowered the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) over the treatment period (p<0.01). This is the only human trial of the ingredient and it is small.

Supported by Trial 1

Reduced daytime and nighttime urinary frequency

In the same 12-week trial, daytime and night-time urinary frequency fell over the treatment period (p<0.01). Results come from a single small study.

Supported by Trial 1

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.

Supported by Trial 2

5-alpha-reductase expression lowered in prostate cells (laboratory finding)

In cultured human prostate cells, the extract reduced messenger RNA for 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that makes DHT from testosterone. A smooth-muscle relaxing action is sometimes claimed but has not been shown for this extract in people or animals. These are laboratory observations, not measured clinical outcomes.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

5-alpha-reductase inhibition

In cultured human prostate cells, the extract lowered messenger RNA for 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Lower DHT is linked to slower prostate tissue growth. This is a cell-based finding, not a measured clinical outcome. Reduced DHT exposure is associated with reduced prostatic growth driver.

2

Bladder neck smooth muscle relaxation

A smooth-muscle relaxing (spasmolytic) action is sometimes attributed to Ageratum conyzoides, but it has not been demonstrated for this extract at the bladder neck in human or animal studies. Treat as unverified. The same anatomical region via a different receptor.

3

Urethra smooth muscle relaxation

A urethral smooth-muscle relaxing effect has been proposed but not demonstrated for this extract in human or animal studies. Treat as unverified. This would address the dynamic component of BPH-related obstruction.

4

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

1
Detering: 12-Week 109-Man BPH Clinical Trial (BioFactors)
PubMed

Detering M et al., BioFactors.

109 men aged 41-76 with BPH symptoms

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.

2
Health Canada LNHPD Listing (regulatory listing, not a clinical trial)

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.

Not a clinical trial: regulatory listing with no study population.

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.

3
Self-Affirmed GRAS Status, Gencor (regulatory safety status, not a clinical trial)

Self-affirmed Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status by Gencor (now Saanroo Health Sciences).

Not a clinical trial: regulatory listing with no study population.

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.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Safety headline: Ageratum conyzoides naturally contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as lycopsamine and its N-oxide), which can cause liver injury including hepatic veno-occlusive disease. Only use an oral extract that has been tested and confirmed to be free of, or very low in, pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Avoid if you have liver disease and avoid prolonged use.
Mild GI upset (rare).
Pregnancy/lactation: avoid — male prostate health ingredient (not for women).
Allergic reactions in Asteraceae-sensitive individuals (ragweed, daisy, chrysanthemum cross-reactivity).
Long-term safety: human data limited to one 12-week trial (Detering 2017). Ageratum conyzoides naturally contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (e.g., lycopsamine and its N-oxide); confirm the finished extract is standardized to be low/pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-free and use caution with prolonged use, particularly in people with liver conditions.
Hormone-sensitive cancers: discuss with oncologist (5-α-reductase mechanism).

Important Drug interactions

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride): theoretical additive DHT reduction — discuss with physician.
Alpha-1 blockers (tamsulosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin): theoretical complementary mechanism — generally compatible per BPH treatment patterns.
Testosterone replacement therapy: theoretical interaction (DHT pathway).
Anticoagulants: no documented interactions but caution with multi-compound herbals.
Other prostate supplements (saw palmetto, pygeum, nettle root): compatible — multi-mechanism approach.

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Frequently asked questions about AGEprost® (Ageratum conyzoides Aerial Extract)

What is AGEprost?

AGEprost® is a hydroalcoholic aerial extract of Ageratum conyzoides (Tropical whiteweed) developed by Gencor (now Saanroo Health Sciences). At 250 mg/day, a placebo-controlled trial reported reduced International Prostate Symptom Score and decreased daytime and nighttime urinary frequency.

What is AGEprost used for?

AGEprost is researched primarily for Men's Health, Prostate Health, and Kidney/Urinary Tract. In one 12-week double-blind trial of 109 men aged 41 to 76 with diagnosed BPH, 250 mg/day lowered the total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) over the treatment period (p<0.01).

What is the recommended dosage of AGEprost?

The clinically studied dose is 250 mg/day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is AGEprost safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, AGEprost is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Safety headline: Ageratum conyzoides naturally contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids (such as lycopsamine and its N-oxide), which can cause liver injury including hepatic veno-occlusive disease. It may also interact with some medications. AGEprost is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does AGEprost interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride): theoretical additive DHT reduction — discuss with physician. Alpha-1 blockers (tamsulosin, doxazosin, alfuzosin): theoretical complementary mechanism — generally compatible per BPH treatment patterns. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for AGEprost?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for AGEprost as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 3 clinical trials and 3 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(3 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Detering M, Steels E, Koyyalamudi SR, Allifranchini E, Bocchietto E, Vitetta L Ageratum conyzoides L. inhibits 5-alpha-reductase gene expression in human prostate cells and reduces symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy in otherwise healthy men in a double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical study. Biofactors. 2017;43(6):789-800. doi: 10.1002/biof.1389.PubMedUsed to support: A single 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial in 109 men aged 41 to 76 with diagnosed BPH. At 250 mg/day, total IPSS and day- and night-time urinary frequency fell significantly over the treatment period (p<0.01), while testosterone, DHT, oestradiol, SHBG, PSA, lipids and blood glucose stayed within the reference range. In the same paper, the extract lowered 5-alpha-reductase type 1 and 2 messenger RNA in cultured human prostate cells. This is the only human study of the ingredient and it is small and industry-linked.
  2. Chung EH, Kim JW, Kim JH, Jeong JS, Lim JH, Boo SY, Ko JW, Kim TW Ageratum conyzoides Extract Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia via Inhibiting Proliferation, Inflammation of Prostates, and Induction of Apoptosis in Rats. Nutrients. 2024;16(14):2267. doi: 10.3390/nu16142267.PubMedUsed to support: Animal (rat) study showing Ageratum conyzoides extract reduces prostate weight, prostate index, and epithelial thickness in testosterone-induced BPH by inhibiting proliferation and inflammation and inducing apoptosis, and suppresses androgen receptor signaling — comparable to finasteride. Supports the 5-alpha-reductase / anti-androgen mechanistic claim. Note: this study did not assess smooth muscle relaxation; animal study.
  3. Yadav N, Ganie SA, Singh B, Chhillar AK, Yadav SS Phytochemical constituents and ethnopharmacological properties of Ageratum conyzoides L. Phytother Res. 2019;33(9):2163-2178. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6405.PubMedUsed to support: A narrative review of Ageratum conyzoides phytochemistry, traditional uses and toxicology. It catalogues the plant's constituents (alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, chromenes, sterols) and its documented toxicological concerns, including hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Background only: it contains no clinical trial of the extract for prostate symptoms.