Effect of Vitex Agnus-Castus Ethanolic Extract on Sex Hormones in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Objective: Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the serious global health problems. There are evidences regarding the high prevalence of sexual dysfunction in diabetic patients. Experimental studies revealed a positive effect of Vitex agnus-castus (Vitex), on sexual function and behaviors. In this research, the effect of Vitex on sexual hormones in streptozotocin-(STZ) induced diabetic rats was investigated.
 Materials and methods: A Thirty adult female Wistar rats were divided into five groups. 1-control group (non-diabetic), 2- diabetic group (received normal saline) and three induced diabetic groups treated with different doses (400, 200 and 100 mg/kg) of Vitex. Treatment groups received Vitex fruit extract by gavage for 7 days. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), progesterone and estrogen in serum were measured.
 Results: Levels of LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone and average body weight was lower in diabetic group compared to control group (p <0.010). Animals received high dose of Vitex fruit extract (400mg/kg) had significantly higher levels of serum LH, FSH, estrogen and progesterone compared to diabetic group (p < 0.010). In animals receiving minimum dose (100mg/kg) of Vitex, no difference was observed compared to diabetic group (p > 0.010).
 Conclusion: It can be concluded that Vitex fruit extract probably has regulatory effect on diabetes-induced change in the levels of sex hormones in female rats. Vitex fruit extract can improve serum levels of sex hormones in an animal model of STZ-induced diabetes.

Effect of some Medical Plant Extracts and Chemicals on Hormones of Female Rats

“…• The ninth treatment (T9): group contained five animals were infected with diabetes mellitus induced by alloxan at a concentration of 100 mg/kg of body weight and dosed orally with an extract (vitex aguns-castus) at a concentration of 100 mg/kg of body weight [28]…”

“…As insulin increases the receptors for the ovulation hormone present in the ovarian follicles and increases the sensitivity of the pituitary gland and its effect on the hormones secreted from the hypothalamus, which causes an increase in the ovulation hormone and the follicle stimulator [40],It is believed that the reason for the increase in T9 treatment as a result of the administration of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Mary's palm has a regulatory effect on the level of sex hormones [46]. [47] confirmed in their results that giving the aqueous extract of Maryam leaves can increase the levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH, and FSH.…”

The mechanisms underlying the role of Vitex agnus-castus in mastalgia

“…Medicinal preparations from the VAC are mainly ob-tained from the fruits and used mainly as remedies to treat female reproductive system disorders (7-13), including menstrual irregularities, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, corpus luteum insufficiency, hyperprolactinemia, infertility, disrupted lactation, cyclic breast pain, cyclical mastalgia, but also acne, digestive complaints (diarrhea and fl atulence), and infl ammatory conditions. The leaves and fruits can also help with lactation (14)(15)(16). Additionally, infusion remedies made from the shoots and fruits of VAC are used for treating headaches, stomachaches, and syphilis (6,15,17), as well as for antioxidant (14), antihypertensive (4), tracheorelaxant (5), anticonvulsant, and antiepileptic functions (6,15).…”

“…Most diterpenoids extracted from V. agnus-castus link hydroxyl groups at C-9 and C-13 and have common structural features of lactone furan or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-pent-4-enyl groups (18). The fi rst two are especially relevant for their bioactive activity (2,14,16,18). Of note, in the Vitex genus, there are 114 unique structural labdane, -abietanes, and -clerodanes-related diterpenoids (20).…”

“…Most diterpenoids extracted from V. agnus-castus link hydroxyl groups at C-9 and C-13 and have common structural features of lactone furan or 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-pent-4-enyl groups (18). The fi rst two are especially relevant for their bioactive activity (2,16,18). One of the most important prolactin-suppressive diterpenes are clerodadienols, which are identical in their effects to dopamine itself, i.e., they bind to recombinant DA2-receptor protein on the nerve cell membrane.…”