Vitex agnus-castus L. (Chasteberry) extracts shows in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor propensities via reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 activity and oxidative stress complications

Vitex agnus-castus, is a famous botanical remedy and a nutritional supplement to manage a panoply of human ailments. The impact of V. agnus-castus fruits aqueous-alcoholic crude extract and its fractions were evaluated for possible in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and in vivo antitumor efficacy. The inhibitory action of the tested extract and fractions on cyclooxygenase enzymes (COX-1&2) were assessed. In addition, scavenging ability on different radicals and molecule were evaluated together with the chelating character, lipid peroxide inhibitory action and reducing power. The efficient fraction was then evaluated for possible anti-tumor agent in immunomodulatory model (Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma). The aqueous-alcoholic extract and ethyl acetate fractions significantly (p<0.05) and selectively suppressed COX-2 (IC₅₀=100 and 110 µg/ml, respectively). The crude extract and its fractions showed promising radical scavenging properties. The two crude vitex extracts significantly reduced the viable Ehrlich cell count and increased non-viable cells also improved the hematological indicators. These ameliorations were obvious from the increasing median survival time and a marked increase in life span. It is argued that the anti-tumor activity of vitex fruits crude extract may be qualified to its anti-inflammatory activity against COX-2, which leads to a reduction in prostaglandin production. Overall, these anti-tumor results for vitex crude aqueous-alcoholic extract can be justified on the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties. This study tend to show that vitex extract/fractions possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant propensities and cyclooxygenase inhibitory properties which could justify the promising antitumor properties and be further studied in the development of biomedicine.