Disease relevance of Vitex

• Phenylnaphthalene compounds from the subterranean part of Vitex rotundifolia and their antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [1].

High impact information on Vitex

• We have previously reported that an ethanol extract of the dried ripe fruit of Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex) displays cytotoxic activity against certain kinds of human cancer cell line resulting in the induction of apoptosis [2].
• While the amount of intracellular GSH decreased significantly after treatment with Vitex, the level of GSSG was unaffected [2].
• These apoptotic alterations induced by exposure to Vitex were blocked by the presence of an anti-oxidative reagent, N-acetyl-l-cysteine, or the addition of exogenous GSH [2].
• Evidence for estrogen receptor beta-selective activity of Vitex agnus-castus and isolated flavones [3].
• Tracheospasmolytic activity of viteosin-A and vitexicarpin isolated from vitex trifolia [4].

Biological context of Vitex

• Tyrosinase inhibitory lignans from the methanol extract of the roots of Vitex negundo Linn. and their structure-activity relationship [5].
• A methanol extract of chaste-tree berry (Vitex agnus-castus L.) was tested for its ability to displace radiolabeled estradiol from the binding site of estrogen receptors alpha (ERalpha) and beta (ERbeta) [6].
• The present result provides flavonoids 1-6 as new cell cycle inhibitors and 1 and 4 as new anticancer flavonoids, which not only provide the first example of cell cycle G2/M phase inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing constituents of V. trifolia L. but also explain the use of Vitex trifolia L. by Chinese people to treat cancers [7].

Anatomical context of Vitex

• In the course of these studies, vitexicarpin (3',5-dihydroxy-3,4',6,7-tetramethoxyflavone) isolated from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia was found to show potent inhibition against lymphocyte proliferation [8].
• The inhibitory effect of rotundifuran, a labdane type diterpene isolated from the fruit of Vitex rotundifolia, on the proliferation of human myeloid leukaemia HL-60 cells was examined [9].

Associations of Vitex with chemical compounds

• Vitexicarpin, a flavonoid from the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia, inhibits mouse lymphocyte proliferation and growth of cell lines in vitro [8].
• A new iridoid, pedunculariside, together with the known iridoid agnuside were isolated from the butanol extract of Vitex peduncularis stem bark [10].
• Flavonoids, triterpenoids and a lignan from Vitex altissima [11].
• New acylated iridoid glucosides from Vitex altissima [12].
• A new phenyldihydronaphthalene-type lignan, vitedoin A (1), a new phenylnaphthalene-type lignan alkaloid, vitedoamine A (2), and a new trinorlabdane-type diterpene, vitedoin B (3), were isolated from the seeds of Vitex negundo along with five known lignan derivatives (4-8) [13].

Gene context of Vitex

• 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 [14].
• This article reviews evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of black cohosh, ginseng, chastetree, dong quai, evening primrose oil, soy products, and the so-called natural hormones [15].
• A specific questionnaire was developed for determining the effect of Vitex on psychic and somatic complaints, on the four characteristic PMS symptom complexes depression, anxiety, craving, and hyperhydration (DACH), and on single groups of symptoms [16].
• Western blotting analysis showed that in Vitex extract-treated KATO-III cells, the presence of NAC also inhibited the expression of heme oxygenase-1 and the active forms of caspases-3, -8 and -9 [17].

References