Mönchspfeffer: Kritische Notizen zur Arzneipflanze
                des Jahres 2022

Niedenthal, Tobias; Uehleke, Bernhard; Puchtler, Elke

doi:10.1055/a-1773-4227

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…VAC is also known as chaste tree, chaste berry, or monk's pepper. The dried fruits of VAC have been used for more than 2500 years for medicinal purposes, mostly for a variety of gynaecological conditions (3). In history, almost all VAC organs have been pharmacologically used and many contradictions have appeared with regard to VAC medicinal use even in modern times.…”

Section: Introduction Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the late Middle Ages in Europe, the use of VAC was introduced also to celibate clerics for its supposed usefulness in reducing undesired sexual libido. After vanishing in the 19 th century, the pharmacological use of VAC has reemerged in Europe in the last six decades as a treatment for some gynaecological conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), cyclical mastalgia, menstrual cycle irregularities, corpus luteum insufficiency, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). A recent review established that there is a role for VAC in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (9).…”

Section: Introduction Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Vitex agnus castus effects on hyperprolactinaemia

Puglia,

Lowry,

Tamagno

2023

Front. Endocrinol.

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BackgroundVitex agnus castus (VAC), also known as chaste tree, is a plant from the Mediterranean area, Crimea, and central Asia. Its fruit has been used for more than 2500 years as phytotherapic agent. In the last century, VAC has been mostly used for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual irregularities, fertility disorders, and symptoms of menopause. Since some degree of hyperprolactinaemia may be observed in patients with such disorders, VAC effects on hyperprolactinaemia have been assessed in a small number of studies and in some patient series or single case reports. It has been postulated that the diterpenes contained in VAC extract may interact with dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) and inhibit prolactin release via dopamine D2R activation in the anterior pituitary. Most of the published papers focus on the use of VAC for the management of PMS or infertility. However, due to its action on D2R, VAC could have a role in the treatment of mild hyperprolactinaemia, including patients with idiopathic hyperprolactinaemia, microprolactinoma, drug-induced hyperprolactinaemia, or polycystic ovary syndrome.MethodsWe have reviewed and analysed the data from the literature concerning the use of VAC extracts in patients with hyperprolactinaemia.ResultsSome evidence suggests a possible role of VAC for the management of hyperprolactinaemia in selected patients, though in an inhomogeneous way. However, there are not any large randomized controlled trials supporting the same and the precise pharmacological aspects of VAC extract in such a clinical setting still remain obscure.ConclusionIt appears that VAC may represent a potentially useful and safe phytotherapic option for the management of selected patients with mild hyperprolactinaemia who wish to be treated with phytotherapy. However, larger studies of high quality are needed to corroborate it.

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Section: Introduction Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%