Does Vitex Agnus-Castus L. Have Deleterious Effect on Fertility and Pregnancy Outcome? An Experimental Study on Rats for Prediction of Its Safety

Abstract

Objectives: Herbal medicine is a worldwide health topic. Vitex agnus-castus L. (VAC) is a popular plant used for gynecologic problems due to its hormonal effects. The aim of this study is to reveal VAC extract effect on fetus when this herb is used started from antenatal period or during pregnancy. Methods: Performed from starting day of January 2019 till February 2019, 48 rats were assigned in randomly divided eight-member six groups: control (C1), treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T1) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T2), control that underwent caesarean section on 15 th day of gestational age (C2) and treated group with 365 mg/kg VAC from initiation of insemination (T3) and 30 days prior to pregnancy (T4) that underwent caesarean section. Weight, sex and number of fetuses, abortion and still birth rate and estradiol level were evaluated using t-test by SPSS software. Results: We showed increased weight among T1 group considering totally and sex-dependent which is significant (all p-value < 0.05). We also detected significantly decreased weight in T2 in total (p-value < 0.0001) and when considering female fetuses (0.043) but not males (0.17). Although the results showed slightly non-significant increased weight among fetuses of T3 (totally or based on the fetus sex) compared to the control group (C2), T4 group had statistically decreased weight compared to control group. Pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome were affected by VAC usage. The time of VAC initiation also affected live birth and abortion rates. Conclusion: VAC extract may affect pregnancy rate, live birth rate, abortion and stillbirth rates. Its effect on the weight and the sex showed dual pattern depends on the time of initiation and pregnancy trimester of evaluation. Prescribing this medicinal plant for patients being prone to pregnancy should be with caution. Further study is recommended.

Vitex Agnus‐Castus L. Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Assessment of Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activity

“…The VAC plant and its seeds have been used for decades in the treatment of certain diseases, especially gynecological disorders of women. [29][30][31][32][33] Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecological cancers affecting women of reproductive age. [34] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women, with over one million cases worldwide.…”

“…Therefore, whether as a medicine or as a food supplement, VAC extracts are safe for many diseases such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), It can be used in the treatment and is very popular today. The VAC plant and its seeds have been used for decades in the treatment of certain diseases, especially gynecological disorders of women [29–33] . Cervical cancer is one of the most prevalent gynecological cancers affecting women of reproductive age [34] .…”

Histopathological effectiveness of vitex agnus castus in treating polycystic ovaries induced by letrozole in female rabbits

“…The substance has been observed to increase luteinizing hormone (LH) and decrease follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in humans, which increases progesterone and prolactin levels and decreases oestrogen levels [8 , 9]. It is hypothesised that Vitex agnus castus works by lowering prolactin, which reverses LH suppression, allowing the corpus luteum to fully develop, raising progesterone levels, and alleviating PMS symptoms [10]. Instead of using Vitex agnus castus extract as traditional herbalists would, the trials in this study will look at how it affects cystic ovaries caused by letrozole.…”