Kyle J. Norton
A recent study conducted by some renowned institutes suggested that Vitex agnus castus (Vac.) may have a potential in decreased overproduction of testosterone on the male reproductive physiology.
Testosterone is a male steroid hormone played an important role in male reproductive organs and building bone and muscle mass as well as stimulating sexual desire in both sexes.
In women, Testosterone is produced by the ovaries in women in a small amount.
The hormone is also produced in small quantities by the adrenal glands in both sexes.
According to Dr. Chris Iliades, MD in the article " The Myth of Too Much Testosterone" wrote, too much testosterone produced by the body may be associated to long-term intake of anabolic steroids, hyperthyroidism, adrenal or testicular tumor.
In women, high testosterone levels can cause hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome,..... and congenital adrenal hyperplasia(6).
In men, conditions associated with high levels of testosterone include hypertension, liver disease skin infections, polycythemia, alteration in sexual organs, heart disease,...... and infertility(6)
Symptoms of overproduction of testosterone include acne or oily skin, breast enlargement worsening of sleep apnea, fluid retention, decreased testicle size, and sperm count, particularly in increased risk of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.
Interestingly, symptoms like shrunken testicles and breast enlargement are the result caused by excess testosterone which is converted to the female hormone estrogen.
The condition also increases the risk of behavioral symptoms such as mood swings.
Chaste tree berry is a species of Vitex agnus-castus, genus Vitex, belongings to the family Lamiaceae, native to the Mediterranean region.
The herb has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years as an anaphrodisiac herb.
And, is considered as Queen herb in treating menstrual problems and discomforts.
In the study of hydroalcoholic Vac. extract (extraction by percolation technique) with the doses: 65, 165, 265, 365 and 465 mg kg-', applied to bromocriptine as a dopamine receptor agonist (5, 10, 20 mg kg(-1))(the drug causes an increased level of testosterone)(4) and haloperidol((the drug causes an increased level of testosterone)(5) as a dopamine receptor antagonist (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 mg kg(-1)), injection male mice treated exerted significant effects in lower levels of testosterone in compared to other treatment groups, when used alone or combination with others extract.
Dr. Nasri S, the lead author said, ". LH and testosterone were measured by Radio Immuno Assay (RIA). LH and testosterone showed a significant decrease in the bromocriptine group and haloperidol increased these hormones. Vac. extract decreased significantly the LH and testosterone levels. The coadministration of Vac. extract and bromocriptine decreased LH and testosterone".
The study also found that Vitex agnus castus extract influences the neurotransmitters such as dopamine in regulating LH and testosterone secretion.
Furthermore, injection of Vitex agnus castus L. (Vit.) fruit extract with 1650 mg/kg was tested on male mice model with the doses (65, 165, 265, 365, 465 mg/kg) injected intraperitoneally for 30 days in 5 groups of animals, showed a decreased testosterone levels in dose depending manner in all tested mice.
The researchers also insisted that through the Radio Immuno Assay (RIA), Vit. the fruit extract has an anti-androgenic effect and probably acts through the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis and the side effects only appear after a long time of their usage.
Dr. Jillian Stansbury, not the author of the studies said, " (due to the effects of chaste tree berry in reduced LH levels and testosterone levels ) that Vitex may improve symptoms of high testosterone levels in men".
The reduced levels of testosterone of the herbal medicine may be beneficiary for patients with high levels of testosterone-inducted sexual libido, acne, and abnormal prostate expression.
However, further data collection on large sample sizes and multi-center clinical studies performed with human consumption during the course of the investigation will be necessary to complete the picture of chaste tree berries and its bioactive compound's protective effect against diseases caused by high levels of testosterone possibilities.
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Author Biography
Kyle J. Norton (Scholar, Master of Nutrition, All right reserved)
Health article writer and researcher; Over 10.000 articles and research papers have been written and published online, including worldwide health, ezine articles, article base, health blogs, self-growth, best before it's news, the Karate GB Daily, etc.,.
Named TOP 50 MEDICAL ESSAYS FOR ARTISTS & AUTHORS TO READ by Disilgold.com Named 50 of the best health Tweeters Canada - Huffington Post
Nominated for shorty award over last 4 years
Some articles have been referenced in medical research, such as the international journal Pharma and Bioscience, ISSN 0975-6299.
Sources
(1) The effects of Vitex agnus castus extract and its interaction with the dopaminergic system on LH and testosterone in male mice by Nasri S1, Oryan S, Rohani AH, Amin GR. (PubMed)
(2) The Effects of Vitex agnus castus L. Extract on Gonadotrophins and Testosterone in Male Mice(Researchgate)
(3) WOMEN’S HERBS” FOR MEN By Editor1 Posted November 8, 2010
In Botanical Medicine, Endocrinology, Fertility, Men's Health, Nature Cure, and Oncology, Dr Jillian Stansbury
(4) Testosterone levels after bromocriptine treatment in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis by Vircburger MI, Prelević GM, Perić LA, Knezević J, Djukanović L(PubMed)
(5) Haloperidol ameliorates androgen-induced behavioral deficits in developing male rats by Qi C1,2, Ji X1, Zhang G2, Kang Y1, Huang Y3, Cui R2, Li S2, Cui H2,4, Shi G(PubMed)
(6) High and Low Testosterone Levels in Men by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, Ph.D. and Steven Doerr, MD
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