Agni-casti fructus - An Overview of New Findings in Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Biological Activity

Author(s): Hoberg, E.

Abstract: Since Commission Es positive evaluation of preparations of the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus L., they ere regarded as potential herbal medicinal products - 0 fact that has been confirmed by results of the latest research. These results, which are hereby documented, were presented in o workshop et the ETH Zurich. The cultivation of the plant is o guarantee for the steady quality of the source material. New trends in the analytical work support the efforts for new quality definitions which aim at the standardization of the lipophilic area as is shown by isolation of several diterpenoids. The dopaminergic activity of the isolated diterpenoids was proven by several receptor-binding-studies of two independent laboratories. The relationship between the dopaminergic activity and the inhibition of the prolactinic secretion is presented as it is connected with the use of Agni-casti fructus extracts. Monks pepper-extracts displace the ligands of an opioid-receptor-binding, which indicates that future research should consider other fields besides the dopaminergic system.A new observation is presented in the clinical study. lt was shown for the first time that the clinically relevant score-values of premenstrual syndrome declined during the three-cycle lasting therapy and rose again thereafter.

Keyword(s): Vitex agnus-castus

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