 |
 |
| EVIDENCE FOR EFFICACY (HUMAN DATA) |
|
| |
|
Clinical Trials
|
 |
A single-blind, rater- blinded & prospective study to compare efficacy of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, with that of Vitex agnus castus extract, revealed that fluoxetine was more effective for psychological symptoms while the extract diminished the physical symptoms.
Atmaca 2003
|
|
| |
Surveys completed by the 23 participants of trial1 and 52 of trial 2 on activity of 2 essential oils of Vitex agnus castus for menopausal balance indicated strong symptomatic relief of common menopausal symptoms.
Chopin 2003
|
|
| |
Clinically important dopaminergic compounds which improve premenstrual mastodynia and possibly other symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome possessing prolactin-suppressive properties are present in Vitex agnus castus.
Wuttke 2003
|
|
| |
The prolactin-inhibiting effect of Vitex agnus-castus preparations, which is due to dopaminergic activities, has been shown in humans and gives a pharmacological rationale for the clinical effects observed in the different indications.[Article in German]
Gorkow 2002
|
|
| |
Vitex agnus castus (dry extract tablets) was effective and well tolerated in treatment for the relief of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in 178 women.
Schellenberg 2001
|
|
| |
When 67 women with fertility disorders administered with Agnus castus(homeopathic
preparation) spontaneous menstruation, improvement of progesterone in the luteal phase,cycle shortening, earlier ovulation were seen and pregnancy achieved in 38 [German].
Bergmann 2000
|
|
| |
93% of 1634 patients suffering from premenstrual syndrome when administered with solid preparation from an extract of the fruit of Vitex agnus castus reported a decrease in the number of symptoms or even cessation of PMS complaints.
Loch 2000
|
|
| |
[Treatment of cyclical mastalgia with a solution containing a Vitex agnus castus extract: Results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study.] (German).
Tschudin 2000
|
|
| |
Efficacy of a Vitex agnus castus extract-containing solution when investigated in patients suffering from cyclical mastalgia, after 3 treatment cycles, the mean visual analogue scale-score (intensity of mastalgia) reduction for women observed.
Halaska 1999
|
|
| |
Therapeutic effect of Juanxiao Tablet in treating asthma compared effect of Oleum Vitex Negundo. [Article in Chinese]
Hong 1999
|
|
| |
Women with fertility disorders benefited from V. agnus-castus obtaining more pregnancies then the placebo group
Gerhard 1998
|
|
| |
1.8 ml/d (60 drops) Vitex extract for 3 months to 48 women reduced menstrual associated breast pain
Halaska 1998
|
|
| |
Prolactin increased in men taking 120 mg/d but decreased with 480 mg/d
Merz 1996
|
|
| |
20 mg/d V. agnus castus to hyperprolactinaemia patients reduced prolactin release, shortened luteal phases were normalised and deficits in the luteal progesterone synthesis were eliminated and increased luteal phase estradiol
Milewicz 1993
|
|
|
Observational Studies/Case Reports
|
| |
A questionnaire-based survey was conducted on the use of essential oils from both the berry and the leaf of the herb Vitex agnus-castus to treat menstrual problems and both oils were found to be effective.
Lucks 2002
|
|
| |
[Is an extract of the fruit of Vitex agnus castus(chaste tree or chasteberry) effective for prevention of symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)?]
Huddleston 2001
|
|
| |
A case of a woman undergoing unstimulated in-vitro fertilization treatment who took Vitex which was associated with disordered hormones
Cahill 1994
|
|
| |
"Amenorrhea. Favorable effect of Agnus castus (Agnolyt) on amenorrhea " (no abstract)
Amann 1982
|
|
| |
"Premenstrual water retention. Favorable effect of Agnus castus (Agnolyt) on premenstrual water retention " (German, no abstract)
Amann 1979
|
|
| |
"Acne vulgaris and Agnus castus " (no abstract)
Amann 1975
|
|
| |
"Improvement of acne vulgaris following therapy with agnus castus " (no abstract)
Amann 1967
|
|
|
Traditional and Folk Use
|
| |
Vitex agnus castus fruit (VAC) extract has been used traditionally in the treatment of conditions affecting females including menstrual disorders, corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinaemia, infertility, acne, menopause and disrupted lactation. VAC is also seems to be a safe herbal medicine.
Daniele 2005
|
|
| |
Review of several popular herbal therapies for menopausal symptoms including chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), their use, mechanism of action, and adverse effects are outlined.
Russell 2002
|
|
| |
Hormonal imbalance has been treated with Vitex agnus-castus & other herbs
Veal 1998
|
|
|
Animal Studies
|
| |
Extracts of Vitex mollis did not show any protection when evaluated on Centruroides limpidus venom lethality in mice, and had no antagonist activity on guinea pig ileum.
Jimenez-Ferrer 2005
|
|
| |
Vitex agnus castus (monk's pepper) can be used as a spray to keep away Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks from animals and humans for at least 6 h. Mosquitoes, biting flies & fleas are also repelled for about 6h.
Mehlhorn 2005
|
|
| |
Partially purified flavonoid-rich extract prepared from the seed of Vitex negundo interfered with male reproductive function of male rats without producing adverse toxicity in other vital organs. Secretory products diminished & sperm numbers dwindled & slackness in their motility was observed.
Das 2004
|
|
| |
Fresh leaves of Vitex negundo have anti-inflammatory and pain suppressing activities in rats mediated via prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, antihistamine, membrane stabilising and antioxidant activities.
Dharmasiri 2003
|
|
| |
Five herbal supplements, which contain different combinations of 7 natural herbs including vitex berry root extracts and genistein and gamma oryzanol inhibit the growth of prostate tumor xenografts, in mice possibly in part by antiangiogenic mechanisms.
Ng 2003
|
|
| |
Methanolic extract (ME) of the leaves of V. negundo potentiate sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and chlorpromazine in mice, analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine thus exhibits CNS depressant activity.
Gupta 1999
|
|
| |
Alcoholic extract of the seeds of Vitex negundo obtained by cold maceration at a dosage of 250 mg/kg is effective against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.
Avadhoot 1991
|
|
| |
V. negundo seed flavonoid fraction is anti-androgenic in dogs. Epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa, low in protein & RNA, and testicular cholesterol and phosphatase activity increased
Bhargava 1989
|
|
|
Pharmacodynamics
|
| |
Order of potency of scavenging activity of nitric oxide by 17 Indian medicinal plants including Vitex negundo has been detailed. All the extracts evaluated exhibited a dose-dependent nitric oxide scavenging activity.
Jagetia 2004
|
|
| |
Antitumor effects of flavonoids casticin, artemetin, quercetagetin and 5,3'-dihydroxy-6,7,4' -trimethoxyflavanone isolated from Vitex rotundifolia when studied on KB cells revealed G2-M arrest and antimitotic activity.
Kobayakawa 2004
|
|
| |
Vipera russellii venom-induced haemorrhage, coagulant, defibrinogenating and inflammatory activity was significantly neutralized by methanolic root extracts of both Vitex negundo and Emblica officinalis.
Alam 2003
|
|
| |
Flavone vitexicarpin exhibiting broad cytotoxicity in a human cancer cell line panel was isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation of the chloroform-soluble extract of the leaves of Vitex negundo.
Diaz 2003
|
|
| |
Luteolin, a flavonoid isolated from fruit of Vitex rotundifolia, when examined with regard to the inhibition of proliferation & induction of apoptosis in human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells was found to be potential chemopreventive & chemotherapeutic agents.
Ko 2002
|
|
| |
Cytotoxic activity of Vitex agnus-castus extract is attributed to the effect on cell growth, that cell death occurs through apoptosis, and that this apoptotic cell death can be attributed to increased intracellular oxidation.
Ohyama 2002
|
|
| |
A fraction from the ethyl actetate extract of the leaves of Vitex polygama inhibited virus propagation by blocking HEp-2 cell receptors when tested against acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 (ACV-HSV-1).
Goncalves 2001
|
|
| |
The petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of Vitex trifolia leaves exhibited moderate inhibiting activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Hossain 2001
|
|
| |
Alcoholic extracts of 5 plants including Vitex trifolia leavesn and two hexane extracts (Eucalyptus globulus leaves, Vitex trifolia leaves) inhibited IgE-dependent histamine release from RBL-2H3 cells.
Ikawati 2001
|
|
| |
The inhibitory effect of rotundifuran, a labdane type diterpene isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia, on the proliferation of human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells revealed that mode of cell death induced by rotundifuran was found to be apoptosis.
Ko 2001
|
|
| |
Methanol extracts of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus L.), and hops (Humulus lupulus L.) showed significant competitive binding to estrogen receptors alpha (ER alpha) and beta (ER beta).
Liu 2001
|
|
| |
Above -20 microg/mL concentration (20-125 microg/mL), a pro-oxidant activity was observed with Vitex negundo in the deoxyribose damage protection assay.
Munasinghe 2001
|
|
| |
polymethoxyflavonoids from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia showed antiproliferative activity in human myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by inducing apoptosis.
Ko 2000
|
|
| |
Spiperone antagonised the effect of the methanolic extract of Vitex agnus-castus and 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.
Meier 2000
|
|
| |
Solvent residues of Vitex negundo reduced the number of eggs and emergence of F1 adults of Callosobruchus maculatus.
Raja 2000
|
|
| |
Aqueous extract of Vitex rotundifolia (L.) fruits when employed in a systemic allergic reaction test reduced plasma histamine levels and inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis activated by anti-dinitrophenyl.
Shin 2000
|
|
| |
Extracts of several estrogenic herbs, including hops, black cohosh and vitex, inhibited growth of T-47D cells( breast cancer cells).
Dixon-Shanies 1999
|
|
| |
Hexanic and dichloromethanic extracts, prepared from Vitex trifolia proved to be very toxic against several cancer cell lines, shows antifeeding activity against the insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda and inhibited the growth of fungal plant pathogen Fusarium.
Hernandez 1999
|
|
| |
Extracts from five chewing sticks, including Vitex doniana, showed potent activities against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and multidrug-resistant Burkholderia cepacia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Taiwo 1999
|
|
| |
Cassia fistula, Terminalia arjuna and Vitex negundo were the best antibiotics against E. coli, Klebsiella, Proteus & Pseudomonas of 34 plants with medicinal folklore
Perumal Samy 1998
|
|
| |
Vitexicarpin (3',5-dihydroxy-3,4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone), a flavonoid from Vitex rotundifolia fruits, @ 100 nM, inhibits T & B cell proliferation and two cancer cell lines
You 1998
|
|
| |
Antifungal activity (in order): Allium sativum, Meriandra bengalensis, Mentha piperita, Curcuma longa, Phlogacanthus thyrsiflorus, Toona ciliata, Vitex negundo, Azadirachta indica, Eupatorium birmanicum, Ocimum sanctum, Leucas aspera
Damayanti 1996
|
|
| |
Killing of mosquito larvae by leaves of Vitex negundo, Nerium oleander and seeds of Syzygium jambolanum
Pushpalatha 1995
|
|
| |
Rotundial, a cyclopentene dialdehyde from Vitex rotundifolia fresh leaves, has potent repelling activity against Aedes aegypti mosquitos
Watanabe 1995
|
|
| |
Agnus castus extract contains an active principle that binds to the D2 receptor which may be the mechanism of inhibiting prolactin. Gonadotropin secretion remained unaffected
Jarry 1994
|
|
| |
Vitex leucoxylon leaf aqueous infusion depressed SMA, antagonised amphetamine stereotypy & oxotremorine tremors, shortened the duration of mice immobility in behavioural 'despair' test and lowered serum total cholesterol level
Makwana 1994
|
|
| |
Both V. agnus castus extracts and dopamine agonists (Lisuride) inhibit basal & TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells. Consequently, inhibition of prolactin secretion could be blocked by adding a dopamine receptor blocker
Sliutz
|
|
|
|
| |
"Analgesic studies on Vitex negundo and Valeriana wallichii " (no abstract)
Shrivastava 1970
|
|
|
Analytical Chemistry
|
| |
New class of cell cycle inhibitors and new apoptosis inducers namely vitexilactone (rel 5S,6R,8R,9R,10S)-6-acetoxy-9-hydroxy-13(14)-labden-16,15-olide, rotundifuran, vitetrifolin D and vitetrifolin E have been isolated from Vitex trifolia L.
Li 2005
|
|
| |
Two new lignans named negundins A and B (show potent inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme) were isolated along with (+)-diasyringaresinol,(+)-lyoniresinol, vitrofolal E and vitrofolal F from Vitex negundo.
Azhar-Ul-Haq 2004
|
|
| |
Activity-guided isolation of the acetone extract of Vitex trifolia resulted in the isolation of two new norditerpene aldehydes, with five known diterpenes active against epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi.
Kiuchi 2004
|
|
| |
A phenyldihydronaphthalene-type lignan, vitedoin A,a phenylnaphthalene-type lignan alkaloid, vitedoamine A ,and a trinorlabdane-type diterpene, vitedoin B, were isolated from the seeds of Vitex negundo along with five known lignan derivatives.
Ono 2004
|
|
| |
Six new iridoid glucosides along with two known iridoids, agnuside and negundoside, have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extractive of the leaves of Vitex altissima. 3 showed potent antioxidant activity.
Sridhar 2004
|
|
| |
Two pentacyclic triterpenoids, betulinic acid and ursolic acid were isolated from leaves of Vitex negundo L. along with three other compounds; n-hentriacontanol (1), beta-sitosterol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Chandramu 2003
|
|
| |
Flavonoid apigenin was isolated and identified as the most active estrogen receptors ERss(isoform)-
selective phytoestrogen in Vitex agnus castus along with vitexin and penduletin.
Jarry 2003
|
|
| |
The methanolic extract of the flowering stems of Vitex agnus-castus yielded three new iridoids agnucastoside A,B,C in addition to four known iridoids and one known phenylbutanone glucoside (myzodendrone).
Kuruuzum-Uz 2003
|
|
| |
Amongst Viteosin-A and vitexicarpin isolated from vitex trifolia later was active in a model using sensitized guinea pig trachea stimulated by ovalbumin suggesting block effects of histamine released from sensitized mast cells.
Alam 2002
|
|
| |
A new labdane-type diterpene, vitexifolin A a new clerodane-type diterpene, vitexifolin B a new abeoabietane-type diterpene, vitexifolin C and two new norlabdane-type diterpenes, vitexifolin D and vitexifolin E were isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia.
Ono 2002
|
|
| |
Two new ecdysteroids, 24-epi-pinnatasterone (1) and scabrasterone (2), together with 11 known ecdysteroids, isolated from the stem bark of Vitex scabra., 1 and 2 exhibiting very low moulting activity in the Musca bioassay.
Suksamrarn 2002a
|
|
| |
Two new ecdysteroids, 24-epi-pinnatasterone (1) and scabrasterone (2),together with 11 known ecdysteroids, isolated from the stem bark of Vitex scabra., 1 and 2 exhibiting very low moulting activity in the Musca bioassay.
Suksamrarn 2002a
|
|
| |
A new iridoid, pedunculariside, together with the known iridoid agnuside were isolated from the butanol extract of Vitex peduncularis stem bark showing preferential inhibition of COX-2.
Suksamrarn 2002b
|
|
| |
A new ecdysteroid, 26-hydroxypinnatasterone (1), together with 20-hydroxyecdysone, was isolated from the stem barks of Vitex cymosa.
dos Santos 2001
|
|
| |
Investigation has shown Vitex rotundifolia contains 5 novel lignans having a 1-phenylnaphthalene-type skeleton together with 4 known lignans compounds & compound showing antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Kawazoe 2001
|
|
| |
Four new halimane-type (rearranged labdane-type) diterpenes, vitetrifolins D-G were isolated from the fruit of Vitex trifolia L. (Verbenaceae).
Ono 2001a
|
|
| |
Ten new labdane-type diterpenes were isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia L.(Verbenaceae), along with a known diterpene,vitexilactone.
Ono 2001b
|
|
| |
Analytical method developed for the standardization of rotundifuran, vitexilactone and 6 beta,7 beta-diacetoxy-13-hydroxy-labda-8,14-diene, the labdan diterpenoids of Vitex agnus-castus responsible for dopaminergic activity.
Hoberg 2000
|
|
| |
An abietane-type diterpene, named vitetrifolin A, and two labdane-type diterpenes, named vitetrifolins B and C, were isolated from the acetone extract of the fruits of Vitex trifolia.
Ono 2000
|
|
| |
Variation in components due to differant parameters applied in extraction of: Vitex agnus-castus found to be sabinene 16.4-44.1%, 1,8-cineole 8.4-15.2%, beta-caryophyllene 2.1-5.0%, and trans-beta-farnesene 5.0-11.7%.
Sorensen 2000
|
|
| |
Highly oxygenated ecdysteroids, (24R)-11 alpha, 20,24-trihydroxyecdysone
& 11alpha,20,26-trihydroxyecdysone, have been isolated from the polar fraction of Vitex canescens root bark.
Suksamrarn 2000
|
|
| |
Eight new labdane-type diterpenes were isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia along with two known abietane-type diterpenoids, and their structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis.
Ono 1999
|
|
| |
Analgesic assay guided separation yielded vitexfolin A, B & C, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin, dihydrodehydrodiconiferylalcohol- & vanilloyl- beta-D-(2'O-p-hydroxybenzoyl) glucoside, agnuside & erythro- & threoguaiacylglycerols
Okuyama 1998
|
|
| |
Flavonoids luteolin caffeoylglucosides, 5, 4'-dihydroxy-3,6,7,3'-tetramethoxyflavone, luteolin, artemetin and isorhamnetin were identified in Vitex root bark
Hirobe 1997
|
|
| |
Vitex doniana fruit pulp is sweet and contains vitamin C (18 mg/100 ml)
Egbekun 1996
|
|
| |
Vitex trifolia fruits contain rho-hydroxybenzoic acid, beta-sitosterol, beta-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside, casticin and, 3,6,7-trimethylquercetagetin
Zeng 1996
|
|
| |
Triterpenoids isolated from Vitex negundo seeds
Chawla 1992
|
|
| |
GC-MS analysis of essential oils obtained from the leaves of V. trifolia and three varieties of V. negundo
Pan 1989
|
|
| |
"Studies on the constituents of Vitex rotundifolia L. fil " (no abstract)
Kondo 1986
|
|
| |
"Studies on the components of essential oils. III. Studies of chemical constituents of the essential oil from Rhododendron racemosum Franch. (I) Comparison of the constituents of Vitex negundo L. var. " (Chinese, no abstract)
Fang 1980
|
|
| |
"Phytoecdysones and iridoids from Vitex megapotamica " (no abstract)
Rimpler 1972
|
|
|
Genetics & Molecular Biology
|
| |
Linoleic acid from the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus stimulated mRNA ERbeta expression in T47D:A18 cells, PR expression, but not alkaline phosphatase activity in Ishikawa cells and induced certain estrogen inducible genes.
Liu 2004
|
|
| |
A wind-pollinated Ulmus pumila, showed less genetic differentiation than four insect-pollinated species including Vitex negundo the subpopulations on both sides of the Great Wall.
Su 2003
|
|
| |
Random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses were performed on 13 herbs including Vitex agnus-castus used for women's health to distinguish species when only powdered material is available for testing.
Xu 2002
|
|
|
|
|
Contemporary Formulas
|
| |
When Vitex agnus castus L extract Ze 440 was investigated in 50 patients with pre-menstrual syndrome an improvement in the main effect parameter during treatment and the gradual return after cessation of treatment was observed.
Berger 2000
|
|
| |
Stabilization by beta-cyclodextrin of volatile oils of Vitex negundo, Notopterygium incisum, Alpinia officinarum, Atractylodes lancea, Pogostenon cablin, Asarum heterotropoides, Schizonepeta tenuifolia & Amomum villosum
Li 1990
|
|
|
| HISTORY OF RECORD |
|
| RESEARCHED BY: Soaring Bear, Ph. D. 1998 |
| RESEARCH UPDATED BY: Michael C. Tims, Ph. D. cand. 2001 |
| REVISED BY: J Mohanasundaram, MD PhD April 2004 |
|
