Can VitexAgnus castusBe Used for the Treatment of Mastalgia? What Is the Current Evidence?

Abstract

There have been many treatments suggested for the management of mastalgia; one of these is the fruit extract of VitexAgnus castusL. commonly known asAgnus castus, an extract of a deciduous shrub native to Mediterranean Europe and Central Asia. It is postulated thatA. castussuppresses the stress-induced latent hyperprolactinemia which is a release of supra-physiological levels of prolactin in some patients in response to stressful stimuli. It is postulated thatA. castuscould be effective in the treatment of cyclical mastalgia by inhibiting the release of excess prolactin by blocking Dopamine-2 receptor type on pituitary. The adverse events followingA. castustreatment are mild and reversible. The aim of this review is assess the efficacy ofA. castusin the treatment of mastalgia. Data from randomized and non-randomized studies regarding the efficacy and safety ofA. castusis reviewed in a systematic fashion. It is concluded thatA. castuscan be considered as an efficient alternative phytotherapeutic agent in the treatment of mastalgia.