Effect of Vitex pinnata L. leaf extract on estrogenic activity and lipid profile in ovariectomized rats

Background: The genus Vitex contains about 300 species distributed around the world. These genuses are used in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome. However, their estrogenic activity is not well understood. Objectives: To compare the estrogenic activity and lipid profile of ethanol extracts of leaves of Vitex pinnata L. with 17 β-estradiol in bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods: Ethanol extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Bilaterally OVX rats were divided into five groups,(n = 6) receiving different treatments, consisting of a vehicle (1% Tween), ethanol extract of V. pinnata at three different doses (100, 500, 1000 mg/kg) and standard drug, 17 β-estradiol at a dose of 1 mg/kg. All groups were administered orally, daily for 14 days. Results: GC-MS data revealed that the major chemical constituents of the extract were 3, 7, 11, 15-Tetramethylhexadecen-2-en-1-ol, Gamma-Stigmasterol, 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid and n-hexadecanoic acid. V. pinnata extracts at 1000 mg/kg slightly increased uterine and vaginal weight and endometrial thickness. Doses of extract at 500 and 1000 mg/kg induced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease of triglycerides and total cholesterol in serum of OVX rats. Conclusion: V. pinnata leaf extract exhibits estrogenic activity and reduces levels of serum triglycerides and cholesterol. The understanding of such activity of V. pinnata leaf extract has benefits for postmenopausal women.