Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry)


 

Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) Clinical Report Summary

Written Exclusively for MyNutritionStore.com by Sarah Dzida 

 

Vitex agnus castus or chaste berry is used primarily in women's health to treat hyperprolactinemia and other breast and menstrual pains and abnormalities such as those associated with PMS.  Current research shows that chaste berry inhibits dopamine receptors, which can cause the elevated serum prolactin levels in hyperprolactinemia (1, 2, 3).  A well-designed study also presented suggestive evidence that vitex agnus castus reduced 50% of PMS symptoms in its female subjects (4).  Experts agree, however, that more studies are necessary to clearly define chaste berry's benefits.  To date, clinical trials have found that vitex agnus castus, or chaste berry, is well tolerated with minimal side effects and is most often safely used when taken orally by otherwise healthy adults for short-term alleviation (5, 6).  As of yet, there is no universal standardization for chaste berry's dosage, however, some experts recommend taking it on an empty stomach in the morning for maximum benefits.  A standardized preparation of chaste berry has also been available in Germany since 1950. 

 

Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) Overview

 

Vitex agnus castus comes from the chaste tree, which is native to the Mediterranean and Central Asia, and contains essential oils, iridoid glycosides, flavonoids and essential fatty acids.  The chaste berry has long been used to treat a variety of women-related health conditions like menstrual abnormalities.  Traditionally, the plant was believed to encourage chastity and suppress sexual desire.  Today, vitex agnus castus has been suggested as a potential therapy for elevated serum prolactin levels (1, 2, 3).  Prolactin is an amino acid that enhances breast development during pregnancy and induces milk production.  Chaste berry inhibits dopamine receptors in the body, which is the principle regulator of prolactin secretion.  Despite some well-designed trials, more evidence is needed to clearly confirm all of chaste berry's benefits, however, the dried fruit of the chaste berry continues to be used in commercial products.

 

Safe Use of Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry)

 

Vitex agnus castus is most likely safe when taken in conjunction with oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy, but should be used with caution (4).  Due to vitex agnus castus's ability to inhibit dopamine, patients using dopamine agonists or antagonists should exercise caution (1, 7).  Due to chaste berry's effect upon prolactin levels, women who are breastfeeding or undergoing in vitro fertilization should also be cautious or consult a physician (8).

 

Clinical Studies for Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry)

 

1. Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) and PMS

 

Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study.  Schellenberg R.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of agnus castus fruit (Vitex agnus castus L extract Ze 440) with placebo for women with the premenstrual syndrome. Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group comparison over three menstrual cycles. Setting: General medicine community clinics. Participants: 178 women were screened and 170 were evaluated (active 86; placebo 84). Mean age was 36 years, mean cycle length was 28 days, mean duration of menses was 4.5 days. Interventions: Agnus castus (dry extract tablets) one tablet daily or matching placebo, given for three consecutive cycles. Main Outcome Measures: Main efficacy variable: change from baseline to end point (end of third cycle) in women's self assessment of irritability, mood alteration, anger, headache, breast fullness, and other menstrual symptoms including bloating. Secondary efficacy variables: changes in clinical global impression (severity of condition, global improvement, and risk or benefit) and responder rate (50% reduction in symptoms). Results: Improvement in the main variable was greater in the active group compared with placebo group (P<0.001). Analysis of the secondary variables showed significant (P<0.001) superiority of active treatment in each of the three global impression items. Responder rates were 52% and 24% for active and placebo, respectively. Seven women reported mild adverse events (four active; three placebo), none of which caused discontinuation of treatment. Conclusions: Dry extract of agnus castus fruit is an effective and well tolerated treatment for the relief of symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome.

 

2. Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) and Hyperprolactinemia

 

The effects of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1) on prolactin secretion in healthy male subjects.  Merz PG, et al.

The effects of three doses of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1)--extracts from 120 mg, 240 mg and 480 mg of drug per day--were examined within the framework of a placebo-controlled clinical study of tolerance and prolactin secretion in 20 healthy male subjects during a period of 14 days. There was good tolerance during the study as regards the following: adverse effects, the effects on blood pressure and heart rate, blood count, Quick's test, clinical chemistry as well as testosterone, FSH and LH values. During each study phase the 24-hour prolactin secretion profile was measured from the penultimate to the final day, and the amount of prolactin release was monitored an hour after TRH stimulation on the last day. A significant increase in the 24-hour profile was registered with the lowest dose in comparison to placebo, the opposite being the case with the higher doses, i.e. a slight reduction. In contrast to the administration of placebo, the 1-hour AUC after TRH stimulation resulted in a significant increase with the lowest dose and a significant reduction with the highest dose. The results suggest effects of the special Agnus castus extract which are dependent on the dose administered and the initial level of prolactin concentration.

 

[Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia: results of a randomized placebo- controlled double-blind study]. Milewicz A, et al.

The efficacy of a Vitex agnus castus preparation (Strotan capsules) was investigated in a randomized double blind study vs. placebo. This clinical study involved 52 women with luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinaemia. The daily dose was one capsule (20 mg) Vitex agnus castus preparation and placebo, respectively. Aim of the study was to prove whether the elevated pituitary prolactin reserve can be reduced and deficits in luteal phase length and luteal phase progesterone synthesis be normalized. Blood for hormonal analysis was taken at days 5-8 and day 20 of the menstrual cycle before and after three month of therapy. Latent hyperprolactinaemia was analysed by monitoring the prolactin release 15 and 30 min after i.v. injection of 200 micrograms TRH. 37 complete case reports (placebo: n = 20, verum: n = 17) after 3 month of therapy were statistically evaluated. 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. Side effects were not seen, two women treated with the Vitex agnus castus preparation got pregnant. The tested preparation is thought to be an efficient medication in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinaemia.

 

Vitex Agnus Castus (Chaste Berry) References

 

  1. Jarry H, Leonhardt S, Gorkow C, et al. In vitro prolactin but not LH and FSH release is inhibited by compounds in extracts of Agnus castus: direct evidence for a dopaminergic principle by the dopamine receptor assay. Exp Clin Endocrinol 1994;102(6):448-454.
  2. Jarry H, Leonhardt S, Wuttke W, et al. [Agnus castus as a dopaminergic active constituent in Mastodynon N]. Zeitschrift fur Phytotherapie 1991;12:77-82.
  3. Milewicz A, Gejdel E, Sworen H, et al. [Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia: results of a randomized placebo- controlled double-blind study]. Arzneimittelforschung 1993;43(7):752-756
  4. Schellenberg R. Treatment for the premenstrual syndrome with agnus castus fruit extract: prospective, randomised, placebo controlled study. BMJ 2001;322(7279):134-137.
  5. Lauritzen C, Reuter HD, Repges R, et al. Treatment of premenstrual tension syndrome with Vitex angus castus: Controlled, double-blind study versus pyridoxine. Phytomedicine 1997;4(3):183-189.
  6. Merz PG, Gorkow C, Schrodter A, et al. The effects of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1) on prolactin secretion in healthy male subjects. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1996;104(6):447-453.
  7. Sliutz G, Speiser P, Schultz AM, et al. Agnus castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells. Horm Metab Res 1993;25(5):253-255.
  8. Cahill DJ, Fox R, Wardle PG, et al. Multiple follicular development associated with herbal medicine. Hum Reprod 1994;9(8):1469-1470.
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