ABSTRACT
El síndrome premenstrual es un trastorno común en mujeres en edad reproductiva y se caracteriza por al menos un síntoma físico, emocional o conductual, que aparece en la fase lútea del ciclo menstrual y se resuelve poco después del inicio de la menstruación. Los tratamientos convencionales para el dolor perimenstrual cíclico tienen inconvenientes que incluyen efectos secundarios, interferencia con la función reproductiva de las mujeres o escasa efectividad en el alivio de los síntomas. Muchas mujeres recurren a terapias naturales para tratar una gran variedad de síntomas menstruales. Esta revisión se centra en una de esas opciones naturales, el Sauzgatillo (Vitex agnus-castus). Se realizó una búsqueda e identificación de artículos publicados hasta mayo de 2022 recopilados por medio de sistemas de búsqueda electrónicos como Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed y Scopus. Las palabras de búsqueda fueron: Premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea AND Vitex agnus-castus. Los estudios preclínicos señalan un mecanismo de acción en su implicación sobre el sistema serotoninérgico, así como su unión a los receptores de dopamina. Los estudios clínicos demuestran la seguridad y el efecto positivo sobre el síndrome premenstrual y la dismenorrea.
Premenstrual syndrome is a common disorder in women of reproductive age and is characterized by at least one physical, emotional, or behavioral symptom, which appears in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolves shortly after the onset of menstruation. Conventional treatments for cyclical perimenstrual pain have drawbacks that include side effects, interference with womens reproductive function, or limited effectiveness in relieving symptoms. Many women turn to natural therapies to treat a wide variety of menstrual symptoms. This review focuses on one of those natural options, Chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus). The information available until May 2022 was collected via the library and electronic search systems such as Google Scholar, Medline, PubMed, and Scopus. The search words were: Premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea AND Vitex agnus-castus. Preclinical studies point to a mechanism of action in its involvement in the serotoninergic system, as well as its binding to dopamine receptors. Clinical studies prove safety and positive effect on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Premenstrual Syndrome/drug therapy , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Vitex , Dysmenorrhea/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms have remarkable negative effects on women's quality of life, justifying the need to assess various therapeutic options. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of Vitex agnus-castus extracts in alleviating menopausal symptoms in comparison with that of placebo. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial with a study group of 52 women referred to a clinic in Kermanshah in 2017. The participants were randomly divided into two groups: Vitex group (26 subjects) and placebo group (26 subjects). Menopausal symptoms were assessed using the Greene Scale before and 8 weeks after the intervention. RESULTS: After the intervention, the mean scores for total menopausal disorder, anxiety, and vasomotor dysfunction were significantly lower in the Vitex group than in the placebo group (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Administration of Vitex agnus-castus extracts as a phytoestrogenic medicine can alleviate menopausal symptoms in women.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Anxiety Disorders , Depression , Double-Blind Method , Menopause , Phytoestrogens , Placebo Effect , Quality of Life , VitexABSTRACT
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, quercetagetin, and isovitexin) have been shown in vitro to affect estrogen receptors. V. agnus-castus could be used to treat acne, digestive complaints, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mastalgia, and infertility, and also for lactation support. Although V. agnus-castus has been used for centuries and enjoys wide support from practitioners and the general public for many gynecological complaints, few clinical studies support its documented uses. The presence of phytochemical and pharmacological activities has proved that the plant has a leading capacity for the development of new good efficacy drug in future.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Postmenopausal women usually experience symptoms related to vasomotor instability due to a decline in estradiol levels. Certain plants have been found to have components that are same in structure and function to female estrogen and progesterone. This study conducted to compare the efficacy of Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex) with placebo in postmenopausal women with hot flashes. Design: Sixty postmenopausal teachers with 45-60 years old participated in a clinical trial conducted in an academic center in Gorgan-Iran. The participants divided in two equal groups randomly and treated with Vitex or placebo, 40 drops per day for 8 weeks. Data collected by using interview, individual characteristics questionnaire and evaluated by Blatt-kapperman’s index at four follow-up visits. Statistical analysis was carried out by using descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis. Results: The difference in frequency of hot flushes between groups was significant at 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks of intervention (P=0.015, p=0.000, p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively) and also the decline in the severity of hot flashes in women who received Vitex was more evident on 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th weeks (p=0.015, p=0.12, p=0.000 and p=0.000, respectively). Furthermore, comparing both study groups the result showed that the difference in Blatt-Kupperman index was not significant on the 2nd week of treatment (p=0.198); however, it was statistically significant between the two groups on the 4th, 6th, and 8th week of treatment (p=0.008, p=0.00 and p=0.00, respectively). Some adverse events recoded between groups were statistically significant (p=0.012). Conclusion: Despite some unimportant adverse events, this study showed that Vitex as a natural therapeutic agent is an effective treatment for the early vasomotor symptoms of postmenopausal women especially in women who have a contraindication to use of female hormones but this recommendation requires to more studies with larger samples.
ABSTRACT
The development of experimental assays to study properties of herbal medicine is worthwhile. Vitex agnus castus (VAC) is utilized in popular medicine and some actions have been attributed to its extract. Blood cells (BC) and plasma proteins are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and have been used in nuclear medicine, as in basic research. This procedure uses a reducing agent and stannous ion is utilized. There are reports that drugs can alter this labeling process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of an aqueous extract of VAC on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m. Blood was incubated with VAC, stannous chloride and Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate, and centrifuged. Samples of BC and plasma were separated, aliquots of BC and plasma were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid to obtain soluble and insoluble fractions and the percentage of radioactivity ( percentATI) was determined. The results show a statistical (p<0.05) alteration in the percentATI on blood compartments and on the insoluble fractions of plasma and BC. Probably, this extract would have chemical compounds with oxidant properties.
Modelos experimentais são relevantes no estudo de propriedades de plantas medicinais. Vitex agnus castus (VAC) é usado na medicina popular. Células sanguíneas (CS) e proteínas plasmáticas são marcadas com tecnécio-99m (Tc-99m) com aplicações na medicina nuclear e em pesquisa. Esse procedimento utiliza um agente redutor e o íon estanoso é usado. Drogas podem alterar esse processo de marcação. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência de um extrato aquoso de VAC na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com Tc-99m. Sangue foi incubado com VAC, cloreto estanoso e Tc-99m, como pertecnetato de sódio e centrifugado. Amostras de CS e plasma foram separadas, alíquotas de CS e plasma foram também precipitadas com ácido tricloroacético para obtenção de frações solúvel (FS) e insolúvel (FI) e a percentagem de radioatividade ( por centoATI) foi determinada. Os resultados mostraram uma alteração estatística (p<0.05) na por centoATI dos compartimentos sanguíneos e nas FI do plasma e CS. Provavelmente, esse extrato poderia ter compostos químicos com propriedades oxidantes.