«««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****ARZNEIMITTEL-FORSCHUNG***** Milewicz A Gejdel E Sworen H Sienkiewicz K Jedrzejak J Teucher T Schmitz H [Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent hyperprolactinemia. Results of a randomized placebo- controlled double-blind study] Vitex agnus castus-Extrakt zur Behandlung von Regeltempoanomalien infolge latenter Hyperprolaktinamie. Ergebnisse einer randomisierten Plazebo-kontrollierten Doppelblindstudie. In: Arzneimittelforschung (1993 Jul) 43(7):752-6 ISSN: 0004-4172 (Published in German) 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. Registry Numbers: 9002-62-4 (Prolactin) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****BIOSCIENCE, BIOTECHNOLOGY, AND BIOCHEMISTRY***** Watanabe K Takada Y Matsuo N Nishimura H Rotundial, a new natural mosquito repellent from the leaves of Vitex rotundifolia. In: Biosci Biotechnol Biochem (1995 Oct) 59(10):1979-80 ISSN: 0916-8451 A new natural mosquito repellent was isolated from fresh leaves of Vitex rotundifolia. Its structure was elucidated by an extensive NMR spectral analysis to be a cyclopentene dialdehyde named rotundial. This compound possessed potent repelling activity against Aedes aegypti. «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» **CHUNG-KUO CHUNG YAO TSA CHIH CHINA JOURNAL OF CHINESE MATERIA MEDICA* Pan JG Xu ZL Fan JF [GC-MS analysis of essential oils from four Vitex species] In: Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih (1989 Jun) 14(6):357-9, 383 ISSN: 1001-5302 (Published in Chinese) The chemical constituents of the essential oils obtained from the leaves of Vitex negundo var. cannabifolia, V. negundo var. heterophylla, V. negundo and V. trifolia were analysed by GC-MS. Forty compounds including alpha-pinene, linalool, terpinyl acetate, beta-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, etc. were identified. Their percentages in oils were given. Registry Numbers: 13877-93-5 (caryophyllene) 78-70-6 (linalool) 80-56-8 (alpha-pinene) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****HORMONE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH***** Sliutz G Speiser P Schultz AM Spona J Zeillinger R Agnus castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells. In: Horm Metab Res (1993 May) 25(5):253-5 ISSN: 0018-5043 In our studies on prolactin inhibition by plant extracts we focused on the effects of extracts of Vitex agnus castus and its preparations on rat pituitary cells under basal and stimulated conditions in primary cell culture. 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. Registry Numbers: 18016-80-3 (Lisuride) 24305-27-9 (Protirelin) 51-61-6 (Dopamine) 9002-62-4 (Prolactin) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****HUMAN REPRODUCTION***** Cahill DJ Fox R Wardle PG Harlow CR Multiple follicular development associated with herbal medicine [see comments] In: Hum Reprod (1994 Aug) 9(8):1469-70 ISSN: 0268-1161 After three endocrinologically normal cycles while undergoing unstimulated in-vitro fertilization treatment, a woman took a herbal medicine (Vitex agnus castus) at the beginning of a fourth unstimulated IVF treatment cycle. In this fourth cycle, her serum gonadotrophin and ovarian hormone measurements were disordered. One embryo resulted from the three eggs collected but a pregnancy did not ensue. She had symptoms suggestive of mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in the luteal phase. Two subsequent cycles were endocrinologically normal. We do not advocate the use of this herbal medicine to promote normal ovarian function. Comment in: Hum Reprod 1995 Aug;10(8):2175-6 Registry Numbers: 50-28-2 (Estradiol) 57-83-0 (Progesterone) 9002-67-9 (LH) 9002-68-0 (FSH) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL RESEARCH***** Hebbalkar DS Hebbalkar GD Sharma RN Joshi VS Bhat VS Mosquito repellent activity of oils from Vitex negundo Linn. leaves. In: Indian J Med Res (1992 Jul) 95:200-3 ISSN: 0019-5340 Oil obtained from stream distillate of V. negundo leaves was fractionated by column chromatography. Mosquito repellence activity, as evaluated against Aedes aegypti was mainly confined to the most polar fractions. The protection period against mosquito bites by polar fractions ranged between 1-3 h. However, the mean protection period values of these fractions did not show significant increase in the subsequent subfractions. «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****INDIAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY***** Makwana HG Ravishankar B Shukla VJ Nair RB Vijayan NP Sasikala CK Saraswathy VN Bhatt SV General pharmacology of Vitex leucoxylon Linn leaves. In: Indian J Physiol Pharmacol (1994 Apr) 38(2):95-100 ISSN: 0019-5499 Ethanol extract (ETE) and cold aqueous infusion (CAI) of Vitex leucoxylon leaf were evaluated in a battery of tests to define the activity profile of the plant. CAI depressed SMA, antagonised d- amphetamine stereotypy and oxotremorine tremors, shortened the duration of mice immobility in behavioural 'despair' test and lowered serum total cholesterol level. ETE showed significant inhibition of carrageenin paw oedema and granulation tissue formation in rats. Suppression of acetic acid writhing was observed with both ETE and CAI. LD50 value of ETE was > 3000 mg kg-1 (ip) and that of CAI 1050 (800-1200) mgkg-1. Registry Numbers: 57-88-5 (Cholesterol) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY***** Bhargava SK Antiandrogenic effects of a flavonoid-rich fraction of Vitex negundo seeds: a histological and biochemical study in dogs. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1989 Dec) 27(3):327-39 ISSN: 0378-8741 The ability of the flavonoid-rich fraction (5,7,3'-trihydroxy, 6,8,4'- trimethoxy flavones) of Vitex negundo seeds to antagonize the androgen action of exogenous testosterone propionate on the male reproductive system was studied in castrated prepubertal and intact adult dog. The flavonoid-rich fraction (F) was administered 10 mg/kg i.p. every other day either alone or in combination with testosterone propionate. The duration of treatment was 30 days in castrates and 60 days in intacts. Treatment with F caused disruption of the latter stages of spermatogenesis. The epididymides were devoid of spermatozoa. Protein, sialic acid and RNA contents of the testes and epididymides were reduced significantly while testicular cholesterol and phosphatase activity in testes and epididymides were elevated. Reduced androgen production was reflected in low levels of sialic acid in testes and epididymides. Castration alone brought about reduction in size and weight of the epididymides whereas castration followed by F treatment caused a reduction in the cellular heights of epididymides. Simultaneous administration of testosterone propionate to F-treated intact adult and castrated prepubertal dogs maintained the viability of spermatozoa, kept epididymal physiology relatively normal and significantly increased the cellular heights of epididymides. Registry Numbers: 57-85-2 (Testosterone) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» Ikram M Khattak SG Gilani SN Antipyretic studies on some indigenous Pakistani medicinal plants: II. In: J Ethnopharmacol (1987 Mar-Apr) 19(2):185-92 ISSN: 0378-8741 Eight Pakistani medicinal plants were investigated for antipyretic activity in rabbits receiving subcutaneous yeast injections. Hexane- and chloroform-soluble extracts of Aconitum napellus stems, Corchorus depressus whole plant and Gmelina asiatica roots exhibited prominent oral antipyretic activity while insignificant antipyretic effects were found in the hexane- and chloroform-soluble portions of Melia azadirachta seeds, Tinospora cordifolia stems and Vitex trifolia seeds. No antipyretic actions whatsoever were produced by extracts of A. heterophyllum roots and Hedysarum alhagi aerial parts. Toxicity studies revealed no noteworthy toxic or adverse effects for any of the above plant extracts up to the highest oral doses of 1.6 g/kg except in the case of A. napellus. «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****JOURNAL OF NATURAL PRODUCTS***** Chawla AS Sharma AK Handa SS Dhar KL Chemical investigation and anti-inflammatory activity of Vitex negundo seeds. In: J Nat Prod (1992 Feb) 55(2):163-7 ISSN: 0163-3864 The CHCl3 extract of the defatted seeds of Vitex negundo exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and yielded four triterpenoids: 3 beta- acetoxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid [1], 2 alpha, 3 alpha-dihydroxyoleana- 5,12-dien-28-oic acid [2], 2 beta,3 alpha-diacetoxyoleana-5,12-dien- 28-oic acid [3], and 2 alpha,3 beta-diacetoxy-18-hydroxyoleana-5,12- dien-28-oic acid [5]. This is the first report of the isolation of compounds 2, 3, and 5 from a natural source. Registry Numbers: 67-66-3 (Chloroform) 9000-07-1 (Carrageenan) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****PLANT FOODS FOR HUMAN NUTRITION***** Egbekun MK Akowe JI Ede RJ Physico-chemical and sensory properties of formulated syrup from black plum (Vitex doniana) fruit. In: Plant Foods Hum Nutr (1996 Jun) 49(4):301-6 ISSN: 0921-9668 The fresh ripe fruit pulp and syrup, produced using the open pan evaporator, of Vitex doniana were analysed physico-chemically. Results show that the edible pulp of the ripe fruit is fairly rich in vitamin C (18.1 mg/100 ml) but acidic (pH 4.38) and poor in protein (0.82%) and oil (0.56%). The syrup yielded a DE value of 52, total dissolved solids content of 67 degrees Brix and a refractive index of 1.4762 at 20 degrees C. The syrup was moderately viscous (2.1 Poiseuille), acid (pH 4.45) but relatively poor in vitamin C (2.8 mg/100 ml) and protein (0.3%). Sensory evaluation showed no significant difference (p < or = 0.05) in taste, flavor and overall acceptability between V. doniana syrup and honey. Both physico- chemical and sensory results indicate that the syrup was highly desirable and can substitute for other syrups as a nutritive sweetener. Registry Numbers: 50-81-7 (Ascorbic Acid) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»» *****PROCEEDINGS / ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR***** Eagon CL Elm MS Eagon PK Estrogenicity of traditional Chinese and Western herbal remedies (Meeting abstract). In: Proc Annu Meet Am Assoc Cancer Res (1996) 37:A1937 ISSN: 0197-016X A wide variety of plant extracts have been used by traditional herbal medicine practitioners as remedies for 'women's complaints.' Further, several plant compounds have been identified which demonstrate estrogenic activity in vivo and in vitro. Commercial extracts of plants reputed to be beneficial in treatment of gynecological maladies, i.e., dang gui root, vitex berry, hops flower, black cohosh root, and shiu chu ginseng root, were tested as competitors in a competitive estrogen receptor (ER) binding assay in parallel to diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent inhibitor of estradiol (E2) binding. Cytosolic ER from livers of mature ovariectomized female rats was incubated with 5 nM [3H]-E2 in the presence and absence of individual plant extracts (1/20th to full-strength), or the phytoestrogen genistein, DES, or the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) at concentrations of 5 nM-50 uM. Significant dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]-E2 binding was observed in the presence of dang gui and hops extracts, DES and genistein. Full-strength extracts of dang gui and hops demonstrated inhibition equivalent to that of 5 nM DES concentration. A modest inhibition was observed with vitex extract, and no inhibition was observed with cohosh or ginseng extracts or DHT. These studies verify that some herbal remedies demonstrate measurable estrogenic activity. The estrogenicity of these preparations may be clinically useful; conversely, these herbs might be avoided in conditions in which estrogens are contraindicated. Registry Numbers: 446-72-0 (genistein) 56-53-1 (Diethylstilbestrol) 521-18-6 (Stanolone) «««««««««««««««««««««««««««««»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»»