Agnus castus as a dopaminergic active principle in Mastodynon ®N

Author(s): Leonhardt, S., Wuttke, W., Behr, B., Gorkow, C.

Abstract: Premenstrual mastodynia is often successfully treated with dopamine agonists. Mastodynon ®N, which contains an Agnus-castus-extract, has been proven to be also a reliable therapeutic tool for mastodynia and premenstrual symptoms. To investigate a putative dopaminergic active principle in Mastodynon ®N, male rats were treated with this preparation and prolactin secretion was determined prior to and after a mild manipulation stress.The active principle of Mastodynon ®N diminished the stress induced increase of prolactin secretion significantly. To further characterize the site of action, rat pituitary cell cultures were treated with Mastodynon ®N or an extract of Agnus castus. Both preparations were able to inhibit prolactin secretion in vitro in a dose dependent manner. Incubation of cells with either Mastodynon ®N or Agnus castus extract together with the dopamine antagonist Haloperidol prevented this inhibition of prolactin secretion.It is for the first time demonstrated in vivo that Mastodynon ®N contains a prolactin inhibiting active principle. The in vitro data demonstrate that the effect is exerted at the lactotropic cells of the pituitary via a dopamine receptor mediated pathway.

Keyword(s): Agnus castus

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