vitex agnus-castus fruit extract

Vitex agnus-castus fruit extract, commonly known as chasteberry, is a herbal medicine used primarily for the treatment of gynecological conditions. Its therapeutic effects are largely attributed to its dopaminergic activity; specifically, it contains diterpenes that act as agonists at the dopamine D2 receptors in the anterior pituitary. This action suppresses the secretion of prolactin, which is often elevated in women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and cyclic mastodynia. By lowering prolactin levels, the extract helps normalize the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and alleviate breast pain. Beyond its established use in PMS, the extract is being investigated for its ability to reduce mammographic breast density, potentially serving as an adjunct in breast cancer screening to improve diagnostic clarity. Key pharmaceutical developers include Bionorica, which markets the extract under the brand Agnucaston and as a component of the combination product Mastodynon.

Brand names

AgnucastonMastodynonFemicurRemisens

Other names

Chasteberry extractChaste tree fruit extractMönchspfefferKeuschlamm