Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings
Conclusions:
Preclinical and clinical studies provide evidence that six herbal medicines may have beneficial effects for women with oligo/amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism and PCOS. However the quantity of pre-clinical data was limited, and the quality of clinical evidence was variable. Further pre-clinical studies are needed to explain the effects of herbal medicines not included in this review with current clinical evidence but an absence of pre-clinical data. (Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - December 18, 2014 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Susan ArentzJason AbbottCaroline SmithAlan Bensoussan Source Type: research
The genus Vitex: A review.
Authors: Rani A, Sharma A
Abstract
The review includes 161 references on the genus Vitex, and comprises ethnopharmacology, morphology and microscopy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies, and toxicology of the prominent species of Vitex. Essential oils, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, diterpenoides and ligans constitute major classes of phytoconstituents of the genus. A few species of this genus have medicinal value, among these, leaves and fruits of V. agnus-castus Linn. (Verbenaceae) has been traditionally used in treatment of women complaints. V. agnus-castus has also been includ...
Source: Pharmacognosy Reviews - November 25, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Pharmacogn Rev Source Type: research
Metabolic profiling of Vitex agnus castus leaves, fruits and sprouts: Analysis by LC/ESI/(QqQ)MS and (HR) LC/ESI/(Orbitrap)/MSn
Publication date: 5 January 2015 Source:Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, Volume 102 Author(s): Angela Mari , Paola Montoro , Gilda D’Urso , Mario Macchia , Cosimo Pizza , Sonia Piacente Food supplements based on Vitex agnus castus L. (Verbenaceae) fruits, also known as chasteberry, are routinely used by women against somatic and psychic premenstrual symptoms such as depression, sadness or irritability. With the aim of highlighting the differences in the chemical profiles of cultivated fruits and different parts of wild plants (fruits, leaves and sprouts) of V. agnus castus, a method concerning...
Source: Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis - November 6, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research
Phytotherapy for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A review of the literature and evaluation of practitioners’ experiences
Conclusions This exploratory study suggests that there is a role for phytotherapy in the treatment of PCOS. Further investigation, consisting of well-designed clinical trials and monitoring the successful use of herbal medicine by practitioners, is clearly necessary. This future research would serve to substantiate positive empirical evidence, constructing a more robust evidence base for the effective use of phytotherapy as a therapeutic option for women with PCOS. (Source: Journal of Herbal Medicine)
Source: Journal of Herbal Medicine - October 12, 2014 Category: Complementary Medicine Source Type: research
Quality Evaluation of Medicinal Products and Health Foods Containing Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus-castus) in Japanese, European and American Markets.
Abstract
The aim of present study was to evaluate the qualities of chaste berry (fruit of Vitex agnus-castus L.) preparations using HPLC fingerprint analysis. Seven medicinal products 1 from Japan and 6 from Europe, and 17 health foods, 6 from Japan and 11 from the United States were analyzed. HPLC profile and 26 authentic peaks were compared medicinal products and health foods. Whereas medicinal products had similar HPLC profiles, health foods had various profiles and each peak was also greatly different. The measured amounts of two markers in 5 traditional medicinal products, agnuside and casticin specif...
Source: Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - April 6, 2014 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Fukahori M, Kobayashi S, Naraki Y, Sasaki T, Oka H, Seki M, Masada-Atsumi S, Hakamatsuka T, Goda Y Tags: Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) Source Type: research
Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review
Conclusions:
Limited evidence supports the efficacy of alternative medicinal interventions such as acupuncture and herbal medicine in controlling premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Acupuncture and herbal medicine treatments for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder showed a 50% or better reduction of symptoms compared to the initial state. In both acupuncture and herbal medical interventions, there have been no serious adverse events reported, proving the safety of the interventions while most of the interventions provided over 50% relief of symptoms associated with PMS/PMDD. Str...
Source: BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine - January 10, 2014 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: Su Hee JangDong Il KimMin-Sun Choi Source Type: research
Optimisation of phenolics recovery from Vitex agnus-castus Linn. leaves by high-pressure and temperature extraction.
Abstract
To optimise recovery of phenolics from Vitex agnus-castus Linn., a non-conventional high-pressure (2-24 bar) and temperature (100-180°C) extraction method was used under nitrogen atmosphere with methanol as a solvent. Optimal temperature was between 100 and 140°C, and optimal extraction time was about one half that of conventional solid/liquid extraction at room temperature. Final yields of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, o-diphenols and anthocyanins extraction were 2.0, 3.0, 2.5 and 11-fold those obtained by conventional extraction.
PMID: 24404955 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Na...
Source: Natural Product Research - January 1, 2014 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Lataoui M, Seffen M, Aliakbarian B, Casazza AA, Converti A, Perego P Tags: Nat Prod Res Source Type: research
The value of complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of climacteric symptoms: Results of a survey among German gynecologists.
CONCLUSIONS: German gynecologists seem to have made positive experiences with CAM when observing their patients, in general. An alteration of lifestyle is seen as the most effective alternative therapy in menopause. Due to their widespread use, possible side effect of natural agents should be excluded.
PMID: 24050585 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine)
Source: Complementary Therapies in Medicine - September 25, 2013 Category: Complementary Medicine Authors: von Studnitz FS, Eulenburg C, Mueck AO, Buhling KJ Tags: Complement Ther Med Source Type: research
Adverse effects of herbal medicines: an overview of systematic reviews.
Abstract
This overview of systematic reviews (SRs) aims to evaluate critically the evidence regarding the adverse effects of herbal medicines (HMs). Five electronic databases were searched to identify all relevant SRs, with 50 SRs of 50 different HMs meeting our inclusion criteria. Most had only minor weaknesses in methods. Serious adverse effects were noted only for four HMs: Herbae pulvis standardisatus, Larrea tridentate, Piper methysticum and Cassia senna. The most severe adverse effects were liver or kidney damage, colon perforation, carcinoma, coma and death. Moderately severe adverse effects were no...
Source: Clinical Medicine - February 1, 2013 Category: Journals (General) Authors: Posadzki P, Watson LK, Ernst E Tags: Clin Med Source Type: research
