An aqueous extract of Vitex agnus castus alters the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m

Abstract

The development of experimental assays to study properties of herbal medicine is worthwhile. Vitex agnus castus (VAC) is utilized in popular medicine and some actions have been attributed to its extract. Blood cells (BC) and plasma proteins are labeled with technetium-99m (Tc-99m) and have been used in nuclear medicine, as in basic research. This procedure uses a reducing agent and stannous ion is utilized. There are reports that drugs can alter this labeling process. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of an aqueous extract of VAC on the labeling of blood constituents with Tc-99m. Blood was incubated with VAC, stannous chloride and Tc-99m, as sodium pertechnetate, and centrifuged. Samples of BC and plasma were separated, aliquots of BC and plasma were also precipitated with trichloroacetic acid to obtain soluble and insoluble fractions and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI) was determined. The results show a statistical (p<0.05) alteration in the %ATI on blood compartments and on the insoluble fractions of plasma and BC. Probably, this extract would have chemical compounds with oxidant properties.<br>Modelos experimentais são relevantes no estudo de propriedades de plantas medicinais. Vitex agnus castus (VAC) é usado na medicina popular. Células sanguíneas (CS) e proteínas plasmáticas são marcadas com tecnécio-99m (Tc-99m) com aplicações na medicina nuclear e em pesquisa. Esse procedimento utiliza um agente redutor e o íon estanoso é usado. Drogas podem alterar esse processo de marcação. O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a influência de um extrato aquoso de VAC na marcação de constituintes sanguíneos com Tc-99m. Sangue foi incubado com VAC, cloreto estanoso e Tc-99m, como pertecnetato de sódio e centrifugado. Amostras de CS e plasma foram separadas, alíquotas de CS e plasma foram também precipitadas com ácido tricloroacético para obtenção de frações solúvel (FS) e insolúvel (FI) e a percentagem de radioatividade (%ATI) foi determinada. Os resultados mostraram uma alteração estatística (p<0.05) na %ATI dos compartimentos sanguíneos e nas FI do plasma e CS. Provavelmente, esse extrato poderia ter compostos químicos com propriedades oxidantes

Variation of Albanian Vitex Agnus Castus L. Fruits Essential Oil Yield Relating Geographic Position

“…Medicinal wild plants have been considered worldwide and for centuries valuable in the treatment of different diseases, due to their ease of use and improved cost-effectiveness compared to chemical remedies obtained from synthesis (Yeung et al, 2020). Fruits of VAC tree have been traditionally used in the treatment of women complaints, including menstrual disorders (amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinemia, infertility, acne, menopause, disrupted lactation, cyclic breast pain, cyclical mastalgia, and inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and flatulence (Ono et al, 2008, Costa et al, 2007, Dugoua et al, 2008. Hydro-distillation of VAC fruits yields a pale-yellow to yellow essential oil with agreeable, interesting, somewhat peculiar top-note, reminding one of cannabis and eucalyptus.…”

Chemical Composition of Essential Oils From Vitex Agnus-Castus L. Growing in Morocco and Its in Vitro Antibacterial Activity Against Clinical Bacteria Responsible for Nosocomial Infections

“…It has been proven that it has many biological activities. Fruits of chaste tree have been traditionally used in the treatment of women complaints, including menstrual disorders (amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea), premenstrual dysphoric disorder, corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinemia, infertility, acne, menopause, disrupted lactation, cyclic breast pain, cyclical mastalgia, and inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and flatulence [7,[9][10][11][12]. The insecticidal property of VAC essential oils against Spilosoma obliqua has also been reported [13].…”

Adding Agnus Castus and Magnolia to Soy Isoflavones Relieves Sleep Disturbances Besides Postmenopausal Vasomotor Symptoms-Long Term Safety and Effectiveness

“…The strategy to add agnus-castus and magnolia to the SI formulation along with lactobacilli arises from the knowledge of their beneficial properties. Agnus-castus has been used in the treatment of many female conditions, including menstrual disorders (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinemia, infertility, acne, disrupted lactation, cyclic breast pain, cyclical mastalgia and inflammatory conditions, diarrhea and flatulence [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ]. However, data regarding the use of agnus-castus during menopause is still lacking, despite early results showing its capabilities in reducing menopausal symptoms [ 24 ].…”