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Survey study, 2015

How does Vitex agnus castus work to help PMS?

This article proposes that Vitex agnus castus (in products called Cyclodynon and Mastodynon) may help PMS by affecting dopamine levels in the brain. However, the abstract does not present actual research results or evidence that it works.

Early or limited evidence Not specified (theoretical discussion)

What they did

This appears to be a theoretical or review article discussing the proposed neuroendocrine mechanisms of how Vitex agnus castus might help PMS, rather than a research study with results.

What they found

The abstract discusses theoretical mechanisms involving dopamine, prolactin, and other brain chemicals that might explain how Vitex agnus castus works, but does not report actual study findings, patient data, or treatment results.

What it means for you

While the proposed mechanism is interesting, this article does not provide research evidence that the supplement actually helps PMS symptoms. The main limitation is that no actual study data or results are presented in the abstract.

dopamine

proposed mechanism

prolactin

hormone discussed

About the study

Original title
Neuroendocrine system as therapeutic target of vitex agnus castus fruit extract for premenstrual syndrome
Authors
А. Г. Резніков
Journal
Reproductive Endocrinology
Year
2015
Study design
Survey study
What was tested
Vitex agnus castus fruit extract
Open access
Yes
Original abstract

The article regards to neuroendocrine mechanisms of development of latent hyperprolactinemia in the patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and to some aspects of its impact on water-salt metabolism and ovarian cyclicity. The author has proposed the concept of interrelation between neurotransmitters and regulatory peptides in neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion in PMS patients with a special reference to the role of hypothalamic tubero-infundibular dopaminergic system and galanin. According to this concept, hypothalamic dopamine is communicative link between stress- and estrogen-induced prolactin secretions. Given the current knowledge on the PMS pathogenesis, usage of Cyclodynon and Mastodynon which contain a special Vitex Agnus Castus fruit extract with proved dopaminergic activity for treatment of PMS accompanied by latent hyperprolactinemia is reasonable and save

Reproduced under CC-BY.

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