A REVIEW ON THE BIOACTIVITY AND POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITEX
AGNUS‐CASTUS LINN
Abstract
Vitex agnus-castus Linn referred as a small decides tree commonly known
as the chaste tree. The fruits of this tree have been used as a
therapeutic agent for over 2500 years in ancient Egypt, Greece, Iran,
and Rome. The Vitex Agnus belongs to the family of Verbenaceae which
encompasses 250 species from all over the world and Vitex is the largest
genus of this family. Vitex has many therapeutic and medicinal benefits
the German health authorities have approved the utilization of V.agnus
castus for treating irregularities of menstruation among females and
also associated disorders, mastalgia, and menopausal disorders. Evidence
based studies have proved multiple therapeutic and pharmaceutical
benefits of this medicinal plant which includes antioxydant,
anti-cancer, immunomodulatory antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
anti-fungal, insect repellent, fracture healing, osteopenic, epileptic,
anti-diabetic and it also prevents from nonalcoholic fatty liver
disorders. The literature also suggests that there is no drug
interaction associated with Vitex. Moreover, the use of V. agnus-castus
is contraindicated (or ought to be abstained from) during pregnancy
because of hypothetical sentiments and cell examines that displayed
progesteronic and estrogenic properties of the plant. This review gives
the documentation to researchers to utilise the properties of V.
agnus-castus as a powerful natural medication and its wellbeing and
satisfactory measurement are examined. Progressed preclinical and
clinical examinations for adequately evaluating the security and helpful
viability of V. agnus-castus are suggested.