The effects of Vitex agnus castus L. essential oil on the pituitary cells in middle aged rats

Abstract

In traditional medicine, the Mediterranean plant Vitex after the last injection. Pituitary glands were excised, agnus-castus L., Familia Verbenacee (Vac) has been weighed and processed for the stereological analysis. used since ancient times to alleviate the symptoms of ACTH-, TSH- and PRL-producing cells were identified with aging. We have already shown that the essential oil of polyclonal rabbit antisera (ACTH, TSHß, PRL respectively). Vac stimulates thyroid C cells activity and decreases bone ACTH and TSH blood levels were determined using the turnover in middle-aged male rats [1). Herein, essential immunoassays. The stereological analysis, after treatment oil isolated by hydrodistillation from ripe Vac barriers was with Vac, showed that the immunopositive ACTH and applied to middle aged male rats with aim to evaluate its PRL cells had decreased (p<0.05) relative volume density effects on the pituitary hormone producing cells. Animals by 18 and 36% respectively, while the same parameter were divided into two groups. The first group was treated was significantly increased by 73% in TSH cells, all in subcutaneously with Vac essential oil (60 mg/kg b.m.), comparison with the values obtained for the controls. once a day for 3 weeks, while the second one was treated Circulating concentration of ACTH decreased (p<0.05) by with sterile olive oil by the same schedule, and served as 52%, while the level of TSH increased (p<0.01) for 45%, the control. The administered dose of Vac essential oil had all compared to the adequate parameters in control rats. bone-protective and sedative effects, as well as analgesic These results show that Vac essential oil differently affects effect in our and other researchers' studies, with absolute the stereological parameters and hormonal output of rate of survival [1, 2]. Decapitatation was performed 24h various pituitary cells.