Vitex agnus-castus (Chaste Tree)

Vitex agnus-castus is a medicinal herb rather than a nutritional food source, so macronutrient and caloric content are not clinically relevant; however, its bioactive phytochemical profile is well-characterized. Key bioactive compounds include: iridoid glycosides (agnuside at approximately 0.4–0.6% dry weight of fruit extract, and aucubin), which are considered primary marker compounds used for standardization of commercial extracts; flavonoids including casticin (0.01–0.1% dry weight), vitexin, isovitexin, orientin, and luteolin, which contribute to dopaminergic and antiestrogenic activity; diterpenes including rotundifuran, vitexilactone, and clerodadienols, present at approximately 0.02–0.08% in fruit extracts, which demonstrate dopamine D2 receptor agonist activity linked to prolactin suppression; essential oils (0.5–1.0% in dried fruit) comprising 1,8-cineole, limonene, sabinene, and beta-caryophyllene; and alkaloids including viticin in trace amounts. The standardized extract Ze 440 (used in clinical trials) is typically standardized to 0.6% agnuside. Bioavailability data is limited but flavonoids such as casticin show moderate oral absorption with hepatic first-pass metabolism. No significant conventional macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate), vitamins, or dietary minerals are present at nutritionally meaningful concentrations, as the herb is consumed in extract form at doses of 20–40 mg dried extract per day rather than as a food.