Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences (Oct 2020)
The Effect of Vitex Agnus Castus Extract on the Blood Level of Prolactin, Sex Hormones Levels, and the Histological Effects on the Endometrial Tissue in Hyperprolactinemic Women
Abstract
Objectives: Hyperprolactinemia leads to corpus luteum failure, sporadic ovulation, and ultimately, anovulation and amenorrhea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the vitex agnus-castus fruit extract (Vitagnus tablet) on the levels of blood prolactin and sex hormones and to compare its histological effect with that of bromocriptine and Dostinex on women with hyperprolactinemia. Materials and Methods: To this end, of women at reproductive age with hyperprolactinemia who had referred to healthcare centers, 105 cases were selected and randomly assigned to three groups of bromocriptine, Dostinex, and Vitagnus. During the time of research (4 cycles), patients were treated with these drugs, and finally, the titer of prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, and estrogen, and progesterone of the blood serum sample were measured accordingly. At the beginning of the follicular phase, the ultrasound scan was done to determine the endometrial thickness and if necessary, the histological study was conducted using the endometrial biopsy sample. Results: Based on the results, the prolactin level in the bromocriptine group started to show a significant difference from previous cycles in the second cycle, and in the first cycle in the other two groups (P<0.05). In addition, the rate of the decrease in endometrial thickness in the Vitagnus group was significant compared to other groups (P<0.05). At the third stage and later, bromocriptine and Dostinex had a significant effect on the FSH level while the effect of Vitagnus was not significant at any of the stages. The results further revealed that the amounts of estradiol in the Vitagnus group had a significant increase compared to other groups (P<0.05). The effect of Vitagnus and Dostinex tablets on the HL level appeared from the 4th and 3rd cycles onward, respectively, while no significant effect of bromocriptine was found at any of the stages. Eventually, the effect of the Vitagnus tablet on progesterone was remarkable compared to the other two mediations in the 2nd and 3rd cycles. Conclusions: Similar to other drugs, Vitagnus has a significant effect on the amount of prolactin and sex hormones and thus can be successfully used in treating hyperprolactinemia. Finally, reductions in endometrial thickness were significant in the Vitagnus group compared to the other two groups.
