Chemical composition and acaricidal activity of the essential oils from Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae) and selected monoterpenes.
Abstract
Tetranychus urticae is considered one of the main plagues in the world. Its occurrence in Pernambuco was registered for the first time in 1985 and it has caused considerable damage to the farmers, attacking different cultures of agricultural interest. The essential oils from different parts of Vitex agnus-castus harvested in the Atlantic forest in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, were obtained by hydrodistillation and the acaricidal potential was evaluated against Tetranychus urticae using two methods under laboratory conditions. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the presence of 47 com...
Source: An Acad Bras Cienc - August 3, 2016 Category: Science Authors: Neves RC, Camara CA Tags: An Acad Bras Cienc Source Type: research
Functional morphology of pituitary -thyroid and -adrenocortical axes in middle-aged male rats treated with Vitex agnus castus essential oil.
In conclusion, the observed changes in TSH and ACTH strongly indicate central endocrine effects of prolonged VACEO treatment. In this respect, production of ACTH decreased without impact on corticosterone production. Increase in serum concentration of both TH and TSH are not compatible with a negative feedback loop and suggest a major change in set-point regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.
PMID: 27476882 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Histochemica)
Source: Acta Histochemica - July 27, 2016 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Šošić-Jurjević B, Ajdžanović V, Filipović B, Trifunović S, Jarić I, Ristić N, Milošević V Tags: Acta Histochem Source Type: research
Induction of apoptosis in HepG2 by Vitex agnus-castus L. leaves extracts and identification of their active chemical constituents by LC-ESI-MS
Conclusions The butanolic fraction has higher contents of secondary metabolites than the defatted methanolic extract. The cytotoxic activities, apoptotic changes, and caspase-3 activation may be due to the presence of these bioactive secondary metabolites (iridoids, flavonoid, and phenolic acids) in these extracts. These results would suggest V. agnus-castus to be used as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. (Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease)
Source: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease - July 9, 2016 Category: Tropical Medicine Source Type: research
Authentication of the botanical origin of Western herbal products using Cimicifuga and Vitex products as examples
Abstract
Various herbal medicines have been developed and used in various parts of the world for thousands of years. Although locally grown indigenous plants were originally used for traditional herbal preparations, Western herbal products are now becoming popular in Japan with the increasing interest in health. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the substitution of ingredients and adulteration of herbal products, highlighting the need for the authentication of the origin of plants used in herbal products. This review describes studies on Cimicifuga and Vitex products developed in Europe a...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - May 16, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
A Critical Approach to Evaluating Clinical Efficacy, Adverse Events and Drug Interactions of Herbal Remedies
Systematic reviews and meta‐analyses represent the uppermost ladders in the hierarchy of evidence. Systematic reviews/meta‐analyses suggest preliminary or satisfactory clinical evidence for agnus castus (Vitex agnus castus) for premenstrual complaints, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) for hypertension, feverfew (Tanacetum partenium) for migraine prevention, ginger (Zingiber officinalis) for pregnancy‐induced nausea, ginseng (Panax ginseng) for improving fasting glucose levels as well as phytoestrogens and St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) for the relief of some symptoms in menopause. However, firm conclusions of ef...
Source: Phytotherapy Research - February 17, 2016 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Angelo A. Izzo, Sung Hoon‐Kim, Rajan Radhakrishnan, Elizabeth M. Williamson Tags: Review Source Type: research
Phytopharmacological Review on Vitex agnus-castus: A Potential Medicinal Plant
Publication date: January 2016 Source:Chinese Herbal Medicines, Volume 8, Issue 1 Author(s): Hina Zahid, Ghazala H. Rizwani, Sumaira Ishaqe Vitex agnus-castus is a small tree or shrub, belonging to the family Verbenaceae. It is a deciduous shrub native to European, Mediterranean, and Central Asian countries. V. agnus castus has a long tradition as a herbal remedy and was used in ancient times not only as an anaphrodisiac but also against diverse disturbances of the female genital system. The major constituents in V. agnus-castus are flavonoids, essential oils, diterpenes, and glycosides. The flavonoids (casticin...
Source: Chinese Herbal Medicines - February 2, 2016 Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research
Determination and identification of a specific marker compound for discriminating Shrub Chaste Tree Fruit from Agnus Castus Fruit based on LC/MS metabolic analysis.
Abstract
Shrub Chaste Tree Fruit (SCTF) is defined as the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. f. and V. trifolia L. and has been used as a component of some traditional Japanese medicines (Kampo formulations). Agnus Castus Fruit (ACF) is defined as the dried ripe fruits of V. agnus-castus L.; it is used in traditional European medicines, but is becoming popular in Japan as both an over-the-counter drug and as an ingredient in health foods for treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS). To ensure the efficacy and safety of both SCTF and ACF products, it is important to precisely authenticate their botanical origins a...
Source: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - February 1, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Yahagi T, Masada S, Oshima N, Suzuki R, Matsufuji H, Takahashi Y, Watanabe M, Yahara S, Iida O, Kawahara N, Maruyama T, Goda Y, Hakamatsuka T Tags: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) Source Type: research
[Evaluation of the efficacy of a new nutraceutical product in the treatment of postmenopausal symptoms].
In conclusion, it can be stated that the supplement evaluated in the present study is able to reduce moderate/severe menopause symptoms.
PMID: 26788874 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Minerva Ginecologica)
Source: Minerva Ginecologica - January 22, 2016 Category: OBGYN Tags: Minerva Ginecol Source Type: research
Identification of New Diterpenes as Putative Marker Compounds Distinguishing Agnus Castus Fruit (Chaste Tree) from Shrub Chaste Tree Fruit (Viticis Fructus)
Planta Med 2016; 82: 147-153DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558089Agnus Castus Fruit is defined in the European Pharmacopoeia as the dried ripe fruit of Vitex agnus-castus. In Europe it is used as a medicine targeting premenstrual syndrome and climacteric disorder. In Japan, Agnus Castus Fruit is becoming popular as a raw material for over-the-counter drugs and health food products, though its congenic species, Vitex rotundifolia and Vitex trifolia, have been used as Shrub Chaste Tree Fruit in traditional medicines. Therefore, it is important to discriminate these Vitex plants from the viewpoint of regulatory science. Here we tried t...
Source: Planta Medica - January 12, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Oshima, NaohiroMasada, SayakaSuzuki, RyutaYagi, KanaeMatsufuji, HiroshiSuenaga, EmiTakahashi, YutakaYahagi, TadahiroWatanabe, MasatoYahara, ShojiIida, OsamuKawahara, NobuoMaruyama, TakuroGoda, YukihiroHakamatsuka, Takashi Tags: Natural Product Chemistry Source Type: research
Study on chemical analysis, antioxidant and in vitro antifungal activities of essential oil from wild Vitex agnus-castus L. seeds growing in area of Argan Tree of Morocco against clinical strains of Candida responsible for nosocomial infections
Conclusion Results of this study indicated that the oils of plant origin could be used as potential anti-Candida species causative agents of nosocomial infections. These oils exhibited a noticeable antifungal activity against the selected fungi. The natural antifungal substances are inexpensive and have fewer side effects, they may represent alternative therapies for candidiasis. (Source: Journal of Medical Mycology)
Source: Journal of Medical Mycology - November 22, 2015 Category: Biology Source Type: research
Casticin, an active compound isolated from Vitex Fructus, ameliorates the cigarette smoke-induced acute lung inflammatory response in a murine model.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine of the effect of casticin, as an anti-inflammatory agent, on an acute lung inflammation in vivo model established through exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Casticin is a phytochemical from Vitex species such as Vitex rotundifolia and Vitex agnus-castus that was recently shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect in vivo. To demonstrate the effects of casticin, C57BL/6 mice were whole-body exposed to mainstream CS or fresh air for two weeks and treated with 1, 2, and 10mg/kg casticin via an i.p. injection. Immune cell infiltrations and cytokine productions wer...
Source: International Immunopharmacology - August 25, 2015 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Lee H, Jung KH, Lee H, Park S, Choi W, Bae H Tags: Int Immunopharmacol Source Type: research
Vitex agnus-castus L. (Verbenaceae) Improves the Liver Lipid Metabolism and Redox State of Ovariectomized Rats.
Authors: Moreno FN, Campos-Shimada LB, da Costa SC, Garcia RF, Cecchini AL, Natali MR, Vitoriano Ade S, Ishii-Iwamoto EL, Salgueiro-Pagadigorria CL
Abstract
Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) is a plant that has recently been used to treat the symptoms of menopause, by its actions on the central nervous system. However, little is known about its actions on disturbances in lipid metabolism and nonalcoholic fat liver disease (NAFLD), frequently associated with menopause. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats exhibit increased adiposity and NAFLD 13 weeks after ovary removal and were used as animal models of estrogen deficiency. T...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - June 3, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Tags: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Source Type: research
A survey of the availability in Canadian pharmacy chains of over-the-counter natural health products for menopause symptoms
Conclusion:
Natural health products for menopausal symptoms are easily available to Canadian women. The lack of clear evidence of product efficacy makes the need for easily accessible, balanced information on this topic important for women to make well informed choices. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - March 27, 2015 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Jennifer CrodenSue RossNese YukselBeate Sydora Source Type: research
A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements
Conclusions:
This molecular docking study has revealed that almost all popular herbal supplements contain phytochemical components that may bind to the human estrogen receptor and exhibit selective estrogen receptor modulation. As such, these herbal supplements may cause unwanted side effects related to estrogenic activity. (Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations)
Source: Epidemiologic Perspectives and Innovations - March 22, 2015 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Chelsea N PowersWilliam N Setzer Source Type: research
An investigation of Turkish honeys: Their physico-chemical properties, antioxidant capacities and phenolic profiles
This study investigated some physico-chemical and biochemical characteristics of different honey types belonging to Turkish flora. Sixty-two honey samples were examined on the basis of pollen analyses, including 11 unifloral honeys (chestnut, heather, chaste tree, rhododendron, common eryngo, lavender, Jerusalem tea, astragalus, clover and acacia), two different honeydew honeys (lime and oak), and 7 different multifloral honeys. Electrical conductivity, moisture, Hunter color values, HMF, proline, diastase number, and sugar analyses of the honey samples were assessed for chemical characterization. Some phenolic components ...
Source: Food Chemistry - February 27, 2015 Category: Food Science Source Type: research
