Vitex
Vitex and Fertility
Vitex normalizes menstrual cycles, boosts progesterone, lengthens luteal phase, and improves fertility
Both short and long cycles (< 27 days or > 32 days pretreatment) were normalized in the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group. Among women starting with short cycles (<27 days), mean cycle length increased significantly in the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group (from 24.2 to 27.6 days). Among women with longer cycles (>32 days), cycles tended to shorten in the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group (from 41.6 to 31.7). The average number of days in cycle with basal temperatures over 98F during luteal phase also increased significantly in the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group (5.5 to 8.1 days). After three months, the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group demonstrated a trend toward increased mean mid-luteal progesterone (from 8.2 to 10.4 ng/ml). Among women initially low in progesterone (<12 ng/ml), the increase in the vitex group with low progesterone was highly significant (4.9 to 9.3 ng/ml). The placebo group did not show any significant changes in these parameters. After six months, 17 of the 53 women in the vitex/l-arginine/vitamin group were pregnant (32%), and four of the 40 women in the placebo group were pregnant (10%). No significant side-effects were noted. http://www.fertilityblend.com/fbclinicalstudy2006.pdf
Vitex and Progesterone
Vitex increases progesterone and estrogen, lowers LH and prolactin
Vitex induced significant increase in the uterine weight of ovariectomized rats at two dose levels comparable to that of control group. Significant increases in plasma progesterone and total estrogens levels were shown at the two dose levels when compared to that of control group. On the other side, the extract induced significant reduction in luteinizing and plasma prolactin hormones.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18415863
Vitex normalized the length of luteal phase and progesterone levels, lowered prolactin
The daily dose was one capsule Vitex agnus castus preparation (fruit extract ZE 440: 60% ethanol m/m, extract ratio 6-12:1; standardised for casticin; one 20 mg tablet once daily) and placebo, respectively. Blood for hormonal analysis was taken at days 5-8 and day 20 of the menstrual cycle before and after three month of therapy. The prolactin release was reduced after 3 months, shortened luteal phases were normalised and deficits in the luteal progesterone synthesis were eliminated. These changes were significant and occurred only in the verum group. All other hormonal parameters did not change with the exception of 17 beta-estradiol which rouse up in the luteal phase in patients receiving verum.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8369008
Vitex and Estrogen
Vitex may counteract or compete with estrogen
The leaves of Vitex glabrata belong to the same genus as the chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), which is used traditionally to support lactation, gave the new compound khainaoside A (14). Khainaoside A (14) showed the most potent inhibitory effects on estrogen-enhanced cell proliferation among all compounds isolated. These results highlight the possibility of using Vitex glabrata leaves for their antiestrogenic properties.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8369008
Vitex acts similarly to estrogen
Ethanolic extracts of four Chinese medicinally used Vitex species were selected and tested for their estrogen-like activities. Vitex negundo displayed the highest estrogenic-like activity, and could be useful in hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
http://www.atypon-link.com/GVR/doi/abs/10.1691/ph.2007.11.7542
Vitex and Prolactin
Vitex may prevent prolactin from increasing in response to stress
It is postulated that Vitex agnus castus suppresses the stress-induced latent hyperprolactinemia which is a release of supra-physiological levels of prolactin in some patients in response to stressful stimuli. It is postulated that A. castus could be effective in the treatment of cyclical mastalgia by inhibiting the release of excess prolactin by blocking Dopamine-2 receptor type on pituitary.
http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/nem074
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Vitex inhibits prolactin secretion
Both extracts from Vitex agnus castus as well as synthetic dopamine agonists (Lisuride) significantly inhibit basal as well as TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells in vitro and as a consequence inhibition of prolactin secretion could be blocked by adding a dopamine receptor blocker. Therefore because of its dopaminergic effect Agnus castus could be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic drug in the treatment of slight hyperprolactinaemia.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8330858
Vitex lowers prolactin and boosts progesterone
Evidence suggests that chaste tree berries possess dopaminergic properties that inhibit the secretion of the peptide hormone prolactin. Relative increases in circulating prolactin have been linked to breast soreness, fibrocystic breast syndrome, water retention, and depression associated with PMS. Elevated levels of prolactin decrease the life and action of the corpus luteum, thus decreasing the production of progesterone. This is consistent with research that suggests that chaste tree berry may have a progesterogenic effect.
http://acudoc.com/Menopause.PDF
Vitex dramatically increases progesterone, no effect on estrogen
Chimpanzees in Gombe National Park consume fruits of Vitex fischeri during a short annual fruiting season. This fruit species is a member of a genus widely studied for phytoestrogen composition and varied physiological effects. One particularly well-studied species, Vitex agnus-castus, is noted for its documented effects on female reproductive function, evidenced in increased progesterone levels and consequent regulation of luteal function. We examined reproductive hormone levels in both male and female chimpanzees during a 6-week period of intense Vitex fischeri consumption. Vitex fischeri consumption was associated with an abrupt and dramatic increase in urinary progesterone levels of female chimpanzees to levels far exceeding the normal range of variation. Female estrogen levels were not significantly impacted, nor were male testosterone levels. These are some of the first data indicating that phytochemicals in the natural diet of a primate can have significant impacts on the endocrine system, though the fluctuating nature of chimpanzee diet and reproductive function does not allow us to determine whether the effects observed during this short period had a broader positive or negative impact on female fertility.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18646183
Vitex and other Hormones
Vitex lowers GnRh, LH and FSH
Another mechanism through which vitex agnus castus may work is the opiate system, which consists of u, s, and k opiate receptors andendogenous opiate peptides such as beta-endorphin. This peptide assists in regulating the menstrual cycle through inhibition of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis (HPA), therefore decreasing the amount of gonadotropic releasing hormone (GnRH) acting on the pituitary, which decreases the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378874105008457
Vitex lowers LH and testosterone in male mice
Vitex Agnus Castus extract decreased significantly the LH and testosterone levels in male mice.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19070148
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Vitex and Autoimmunity
Vitex suppresses the immune system
Casticin, a flavonoid isolated from the aerial parts of Vitex agnus-castus, was found to be a potent immunomodulatory and cytotoxic compound. The activity was tested in vitro for chemiluminescence, chemotaxis, T-cell proliferation and cytotoxicity. Casticin exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on monocyte oxidative burst in a dose dependent manner. It was found to have a significant suppressive effect on the chemotaxic action at higher concentrations on fMLP (10(-8) m) stimulated neutrophils. It also showed a potent suppressive effect on PHA stimulated T-cell (PMBC).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19441009
Vitex is anti-inflammatory
Several secondary metabolites, artemetin (1), casticin (2), 3,3'-dihydroxy-5,6,7,4'-tetramethoxy flavon (3), penduletin (4), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (5), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (6), methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (7), 5-hydroxy-2-methoxybenzoic acid (8), vanillic acid (9) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10) were isolated from a folkloric medicinal plant, Vitex agnus-castus. The structures of compounds 1-10 were identified with the help of spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 3-10 were isolated for the first time from this plant. These compounds were screened for their antiinflammatory and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities. Compounds 6, 7 and 10 were found to have significant antiinflammatory activity in a cell-based contemporary assay, whereas compounds 1 and 2 exhibited a potent lipoxygenase inhibition.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19173281
Vitex Safety
Vitex does not cause birth defects in rats
Aviva Romm states in Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health… In placebo controlled studies for teratogenicity and mutagenicity were conducted in rats, and even with the animals ere administered 74 times the dosage typically consumed by humans, no toxicity nor aberations in fetal development were seen.
http://natural-fertility-info.com/preventing-miscarriage
Vitex does not effect fertility, pregnancy, lactation or birth defects in rats
Intragastric administration of an ethanol fruit extract to male and female rats at doses up to 80 times the recommended human daily dose had no effect on fertility, mating behaviour, pregnancy or lactation. No pathological changes were observed in any of the offspring of treated animals when compared with those animals treated with vehicle control.
Vitex does not cause birth defects or affect maternal health in rats or rabbits
Intragastric administration of an ethanol fruit extract to rats and rabbits at doses up to 100 and 74 times higher than the human daily dose, respectively, was not teratogenic and did not affect maternal health as compared with controls.
Vitex is prescribed in Germany
The German Commission E allows use of vitex for menstrual irregularity, breast pain, and PMS.
Vitex Information
Vitex binds to estrogen receptors
These data suggest that linoleic acid from the fruits of Vitex agnus-castus can bind to estrogen receptors and induce certain estrogen inducible genes.
Vitex binds to opioid receptors
Vitex agnus-castus has been used since ancient Greek times and has been shown clinically to be effective for the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome. However, its mechanism of action has only been partially determined. Compounds, fractions, and extracts isolated from Vitex agnus-castus were used in this study to thoroughly investigate possible opioidergic activity. Several flavonoids from Vitex agnus-castus were found to bind to both mu opioid receptors and delta opioid receptors in a dose-dependent manner; however only casticin, a marker compound for genus Vitex, was found to have agonist activity selective for delta opioid receptors at high concentrations. These results suggest Vitex agnus-castus may exert its therapeutic effects through the activation of mu opioid receptors, delta opioid receptors, but not kappa opioid receptors.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20854795
Vitex is anti-inflammatory
High iNOS and NF-kappaB levels were inhibited in 1, 2 di-substituted idopyranose (a compound isolated from Vitex negundo) treated mice. The results suggest that 1, 2 di-substituted idopyranose helps in the protection of hepatocytes, nephrocytes and pancreatic beta-cells probably by its action against NF-kappaB and iNOS mediated inflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20687129
Vitex is anti-cancer
Vitexin is a class of nature lignan compounds, whose action and anticancer effect is mediated by the mechanisms different from the classic lignans. Contrasts to the classic lignans, Vitexins were not metabolized to Enterodiol and Enterolactone. Vitexin-induced antitumor effect and cytotoxic activity is exerted through proapoptotic process, which is mediated by a decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and activation of caspases.
http://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/15/16/5161.full
Vitex boosts dopamine
Our results indicate a dopaminergic effect of Vitex agnus-castus extracts and suggest additional pharmacological actions via opioid receptors.
Other topics covered under Supplements and Miscarriage:
Aspirin, Black Cohosh, Flaxseed, Inositol, N-Acetyl Cysteine, Omega 3, Progesterone Cream, Vitex