Study, 2007
Do compounds from Vitex rotundifolia act like estrogen in the body?
In laboratory cells, two compounds from Vitex rotundifolia (agnuside and rotundifuran) acted like estrogen and turned on estrogen-related genes. This suggests they might help regulate hormone levels, though testing in people is still needed.
What they did
Researchers tested an extract from Vitex rotundifolia fruits and four specific compounds from it on breast cancer cells in the lab. These cells respond to estrogen, so the researchers could see if the plant compounds had estrogen-like activity. They measured cell growth and checked whether estrogen-related genes were activated.
What they found
Two compounds, agnuside and rotundifuran, made the cells grow in a dose-dependent way, meaning more of the compound caused more growth. This growth was blocked when the researchers added an estrogen receptor blocker, showing the effect worked through estrogen pathways. These two compounds also increased levels of estrogen receptor and related genes within 24 hours, and this increase was reversed by blocking estrogen.
What it means for you
These results suggest that agnuside and rotundifuran might act like estrogen in the body, which could be useful for treating hormone-related issues. However, this was done in cells in a lab, not in people, so we cannot know yet if Vitex rotundifolia actually helps PMS symptoms. More research in animals and people is needed.
4
compounds tested from Vitex rotundifolia
2
compounds that showed estrogen-like activity
100 nM to 10 µM
dose range tested
About the study
- Original title
- Evaluation of the estrogenic activity of the constituents in the fruits of Vitex rotundifolia L. for the potential treatment of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Hu Y, Hou TT, Zhang QY et al.
- Journal
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- Extract and four compounds from Vitex rotundifolia fruits.
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1211/jpp.59.9.0016
Topics
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