Evidence supporting the use of: Agnuside
For the health condition: PMS Type P
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Agnuside is a key iridoid glycoside found in Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree), a botanical medicine widely used for premenstrual syndrome (PMS). PMS Type P refers to PMS with predominant symptoms of pain (such as breast tenderness and headaches), and Agnuside is often cited as one of the active compounds contributing to the therapeutic effects of Vitex extracts. Multiple clinical studies and meta-analyses support the use of Vitex agnus-castus for the treatment of PMS symptoms, including mastalgia (breast pain), mood disturbances, and headaches. The mechanism is thought to involve dopaminergic activity, which leads to a reduction in prolactin levels; elevated prolactin is associated with some PMS symptoms, especially breast tenderness. Agnuside has been specifically identified as one of the main compounds responsible for the dopaminergic effects of Vitex extracts. Although most studies use whole-plant extracts, standardized to agnuside content, the evidence for agnuside alone is less robust. Still, the overall scientific consensus is that Vitex (and by extension, agnuside-containing extracts) is effective for PMS pain symptoms, with systematic reviews suggesting moderate efficacy and good safety. Thus, the use of agnuside is scientifically justified, though direct evidence for the isolated compound is limited and most clinical validation pertains to the whole extract.