Agnus castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells.

Abstract

In our studies on prolactin inhibition by plant extracts we focused on the effects of extracts of Vitex agnus castus and its preparations on rat pituitary cells under basal and stimulated conditions in primary cell culture. Both extracts from Vitex agnus castus as well as synthetic dopamine agonists (Lisuride) significantly inhibit basal as well as TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells in vitro and as a consequence inhibition of prolactin secretion could be blocked by adding a dopamine receptor blocker. Therefore because of its dopaminergic effect Agnus castus could be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic drug in the treatment of slight hyperprolactinaemia.

• Authors: G Sliutz, P Speiser, A M Schultz, J Spona, R Zeillinger
• Journal: Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme (Horm Metab Res) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 253-5 (May 1993) ISSN: 0018-5043 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 8330858 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Indicators and Reagents
• Plant Extracts
• Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone
• Prolactin
• Lisuride
• Dopamine

Topics

• Animals
• Cells, Cultured
• Dopamine (metabolism)
• Female
• Indicators and Reagents
• Lisuride (pharmacology)
• Pituitary Gland (drug effects, metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Prolactin (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)