Leung's Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics

PHARMACOLOGY AND BIOLOGICAL
ACTIVITIES

Ethanol extracts of the leaves inhibit the
in vitrogrowth of various bacteria and fungi
(E. coli,Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococ-
cusfaecalis,Candidakrusei,Epidermophyton
floccosum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes,
and others). Ethanol extracts of the fruits,
flowers,andleavesinhibitedtheinvitrogrowth
ofBacillus subtilis,E. coli,Candida albicans,
and Shigella sonei. Flavonoids (casticin,
orientin, vitexin, xyloside, and others) and
iridoids (aucubin and agnoside) of the fruits
and leaves also showedin vitroantibacterial
activity (S. aureus, Bacillus cereus, and
B. megaterium)(MCKENNA).
Extracts of the berries have shownin vitro
cycotoxic activity against human carcinoma
cells (breast, gastric, small lung, and colon
carcinoma);^14 in vitrogrowth inhibition of an
estrogen- and progesterone-positive human
mammary cancer cell line (T-47D) (MCKENNA);
invitroestrogenicactivitywithbindingofboth
a-andb-estrogenreceptors;1,15andestrogenic
activity in female rats administered an extract
in feed (MCKENNA). Oral administration of
a standardized extract of the berries withb-
estrogen receptor-specific activity to female
ratsproducedestrogenicactivitywithouteffects
onuterinegenesoruterineweight.^11 Estrogenic
activity of the berries is attributed to linoleic
acid,^1 apigenin, penduletin, and vitexin.^2
Dopaminergic compounds in the fruits with
in vitroprolactin-suppressive activity are di-
terpenes, including rotundifuran^16 and others
(clerodadienols).^11
Clinical trials of standardized extracts of
the berries (double-blind, placebo-controlled)
have shown significant benefits in the treat-
ment of women with latent hyperprolactine-
mia, abnormal menstrual cycles, and corpus
luteum insufficiency, cyclical mastalgia, pre-
menstrual syndrome, and premenstrual ten-
sion syndrome (MCKENNA).17,18

TOXICOLOGY

Generally considered safe; rare occurrences
of itching and urticaria have been reported

(BLUMENTHAL1). No toxicity was found in

mice or rats administered a standardized ex-

tract of the berries at a single dose of 7000 mg.

Doses of upto 3500 mg in rats for over 5 weeks

also failed to produce toxic effects. Decreased

milk production in rats was attributed to the

prolatic-depressing activity of a vitex berry

extract (MCKENNA).

USES

Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.

Used in modern Europe in the treatment of

premenstrual and menopausal disorders in-

cluding premenstrual mastodynia (mastalgia)

and other symptoms of PMS;^11 also in treat-

ments of premenstrual tension syndrome, Par-

kinson’s disease, acne, uterine myomas, as a

galactogogue, as an adjunctive therapy in

endometriosis (MCKENNA), and upon termina-

tion of use of birth control pills; also used

to help re-establish normal menstruation and

ovulation, to increase or stimulate milk flow;

reduce water retention during menstruation;

allay effusions in the knee joints associated

with premenstrual syndrome.10,11

Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Dried

fruits and extracts thereof in capsules, tea,

and so on (FOSTER).

Food. Seeds used as a spice and substitute

for pepper (GRIEVE;KIPLE AND ORNELAS).

Traditional Medicine. Syrup made from the

seeds was used in medieval Europe to sup-

press the libido. Berries and leaves were used

in 16th century Europe as an emmenagogue.

Eclectic medical practitioners (19th century)

used a tincture of the fresh fruit as galacta-

gogue and emmenagogue (FELTER AND LLOYD).

Plant used in Anatolia to treat anxiety,

stomachache, to prevent early birth, and as

a diuretic, digestive, and antifungal.^9 Seed

decoctions and fruits used in ancient Greece

to treat uterine inflammations (MCKENNA) and

in Arabian medicine in baths to treat uterine

tumors and pain;^19 plant also used in Arabian

medicine to treat insanity, hysteria, epilepsy;

178 Chaste-tree