Chasteberry Extract (Vitex agnus-castus)

Clinical Studies
References


Chasteberry is used for rheumatic conditions, body inflammation and swelling, menstrual irregularities, symptoms of menopause and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), amongst others. The applicable part of the chasteberry tree is the fruit. It has anti-inflammatory activity, especially due to the main active ingredient, agnuside, which has COX-2 inhibiting activity.

Other therapeutic effects of chasteberry have been attributed to its indirect effects on various neurotransmitters and hormones. Chasteberry seems to affect dopamine, and possibly acetylcholine and opioid receptors too. Preliminary research suggests chasteberry might have analgesic and antihistaminic activity. Preliminary research suggests it also might have estrogen and progestin activity. Chasteberry appears to be selective for beta estrogen receptors. The beta estrogen receptor predominates in the heart, vasculature, bone and bladder. Chasteberry doesn't affect testosterone levels in men.

Published Clinical Studiescl top
Chasteberry Extract (Vitex agnus-castus)

Iridoids with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Vitex peduncularis1

A. Suksamrarn1, S. Kumpun1, K. Kirtikara2, B. Yingyongnarongkul1, S. Suksamrarn3

 

1 1 Department of Chemistry, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 2 National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, National Science and Technology Development Agency, Bangkok, Thailand 3 3 Department of Chemistry, Srinakharinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

A new iridoid, pedunculariside, together with the known iridoid agnuside were isolated from the butanol extract of Vitex peduncularis stem bark. Both pedunculariside and agnuside showed preferential inhibition of COX-2, with IC50 values of 0.15 ± 0.21 mg/ml and 0.026 ± 0.015 mg/ml respectively, while having only small inhibitory effects on COX-1. Both compounds did not exhibit cytotoxicity against vero cells.

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Pharmacological activities of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in vitro.2

Meier B, Berger D, Hoberg E, Sticher O, Schaffner W.

 

Zeller AG, Herbal Medicinal Products, Romanshorn, Switzerland. beat.meier@zellerag.ch

The pharmacological effects of ethanolic Vitex agnus-castus fruit-extracts (especially Ze 440) and various extract fractions of different polarities were evaluated both by radioligand binding studies and by superfusion experiments. A relative potent binding inhibition was observed for dopamine D2 and opioid (micro and kappa subtype) receptors with IC50 values of the native extract between 20 and 70 mg/mL. Binding, neither to the histamine H1, benzodiazepine and OFQ receptor, nor to the binding-site of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, was significantly inhibited. The lipophilic fractions contained the diterpenes rotun-difuran and 6beta,7beta-diacetoxy-13-hydroxy-labda-8,14-dien . They exhibited inhibitory actions on dopamine D2 receptor binding. While binding inhibition to mu and kappa opioid receptors was most pronounced in lipophilic fractions, binding to delta opioid receptors was inhibited mainly by a aqueous fraction. Standardised Ze 440 extracts of different batches were of constant pharmacological quality according to their potential to inhibit the binding to D2 receptors. In superfusion experiments, the aqueous fraction of a methanolic extract inhibited the release of acetylcholine in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the potent D2 receptor antagonist spiperone antagonised the effect of the extract suggesting a dopaminergic action mediated by D2 receptor activation. Our results indicate a dopaminergic effect of Vitex agnus-castus extracts and suggest additional pharmacological actions via opioid receptors.

PMID: 11081988 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Referencesre

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