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
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
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
