Nanoemulsion for improving solubility and permeability of Vitex agnus-castus extract: formulation and in vitro evaluation using PAMPA and Caco-2 approaches.
Authors: Piazzini V, Monteforte E, Luceri C, Bigagli E, Bilia AR, Bergonzi MC
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop new formulation for an improved oral delivery of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) extract. After the optimization and validation of analytical method for quali-quantitative characterization of extract, nanoemulsion (NE) was selected as lipid-based nanocarrier. The composition of extract-loaded NE resulted in triacetin as oil phase, labrasol as surfactant, cremophor EL as co-surfactant and water. NE contains until 60 mg/mL of extract. It was characterized by DLS and TEM analyses and its ...
Source: Drug Delivery - February 8, 2017 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Tags: Drug Deliv Source Type: research
Report on the Medicinal Use of Eleven Lamiaceae Species in Lebanon and Rationalization of Their Antimicrobial Potential by Examination of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Their Essential Oils.
Authors: Khoury M, Stien D, Eparvier V, Ouaini N, El Beyrouthy M
Abstract
Many Lamiaceae species are consumed in the Lebanese cuisine as food or condiment and are largely used in the traditional medicine of Lebanon to treat various diseases, including microbial infections. In this article we report the traditional medicinal uses of eleven Lamiaceae species: Coridothymus capitatus L., Lavandula stoechas L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Mentha spicata L. subsp. condensata, Origanum syriacum L., Rosmarinus officinalis, Salvia fruticosa Miller., Satureja cuneifolia Ten., Satureja thymbra L., Thymbra spicata L...
Source: Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine - January 7, 2017 Category: Complementary Medicine Tags: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med Source Type: research
SC-CO2 extraction of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits: The influence of pressure, temperature and water presoaking on the yield and GC –MS profiles of the extracts in comparison to the essential oil composition
The objectives were trifold: 1) to investigate the impact of pressure, temperature and water presoaking on SC-CO2 extraction of Vitex agnus-castus L. fruits with respect to the yield and GC–MS profiles of the extracts; 2) to find optimal extraction conditions by response surface methodology (RSM); 3) to compare GC–MS profiles of the extracts and essential oil. SC-CO2 extraction was performed at different pressures (8.4–36.6MPa) and temperatures (35.8–64.1°C) determined by central composite rotatable design. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation. The extracts and oil were analyzed by GC–MS. Applied ...
Source: The Journal of Supercritical Fluids - December 31, 2016 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research
Nanoemulsions to enhance oral bioavailability of Vitex Agnus-castus extract
Planta Med 2016; 81: S1-S381 DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1596925 Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New YorkArticle in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents | Full text (Source: Planta Medica)
Source: Planta Medica - December 13, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Piazzini, V Monteforte, E Luceri, C Bigagli, E Guccione, C Bilia, AR Bergonzi, MC Tags: Abstracts Source Type: research
Botanicals and Their Bioactive Phytochemicals for Women's Health.
Abstract
Botanical dietary supplements are increasingly popular for women's health, particularly for older women. The specific botanicals women take vary as a function of age. Younger women will use botanicals for urinary tract infections, especially Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry), where there is evidence for efficacy. Botanical dietary supplements for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are less commonly used, and rigorous clinical trials have not been done. Some examples include Vitex agnus-castus (chasteberry), Angelica sinensis (dong quai), Viburnum opulus/prunifolium (cramp bark and black haw), and Zingibe...
Source: Pharmacological Reviews - September 30, 2016 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL Tags: Pharmacol Rev Source Type: research
Effects of Vitex agnus-castus fruit on sex hormones and antioxidant indices in a d-galactose-induced aging female mouse model
Conclusion Vitex improved some aging events in the reproductive system of female mice. Therefore, because of its apparent antiaging effects, Vitex can be suitable for some aging problems such as oxidative stress, female sex hormone deficiency, and an atrophic endometrium. (Source: Journal of the Chinese Medical Association)
Source: Journal of the Chinese Medical Association - August 29, 2016 Category: Journals (General) Source Type: research
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
