Neuroendocrine system as therapeutic target of vitex agnus castus fruit extract for premenstrual syndrome

Abstract

The article regards to neuroendocrine mechanisms of development of latent hyperprolactinemia in the patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and to some aspects of its impact on water-salt metabolism and ovarian cyclicity. The author has proposed the concept of interrelation between neurotransmitters and regulatory peptides in neuroendocrine control of prolactin secretion in PMS patients with a special reference to the role of hypothalamic tubero-infundibular dopaminergic system and galanin. According to this concept, hypothalamic dopamine is communicative link between stress- and estrogen-induced prolactin secretions. Given the current knowledge on the PMS pathogenesis, usage of Cyclodynon and Mastodynon which contain a special Vitex Agnus Castus fruit extract with proved dopaminergic activity for treatment of PMS accompanied by latent hyperprolactinemia is reasonable and save