In "4 (c) Possible future developments in prolactinomas" on the preceding page there is a couple of references to Melatonin as a tumour inhibitor, a reference to a person with severe vitamin E deficiency whose prolactinoma regressed after taking vitamin E supplements, and in an email that was sent to me by a lady who visited this page the writer said: "..... 1 more thing, a women I know is taking DHEA and her prolactin went down and she is fine. She only takes that. No parlodel or dostinex. Doctors aren't sure how or why it is working.... ".
I am not suggesting any of these are as effective as dopamine agonist medications, nor am I recommending them, just passing them along for interest. I have not seen DHEA mentioned in the medical literature as having any effect on prolactinomas, nor any other references to vitamin E for prolactinoma..
One herbal supplement that has been investigated in Europe is Agnus castus (Chasteberry) and the abstracts related to that are shown below. Again, I am not suggesting using it as a substitute for prescription dopamine agonists but it does seem from the abstracts to have a mild effect.
1
NLM CIT. ID: 93322007
TITLE: Agnus castus extracts inhibit prolactin secretion of rat pituitary
cells.
AUTHORS: Sliutz G; Speiser P; Schultz AM; Spona J
Zeillinger R
AUTHOR AFFILIATION:
Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna,
Austria.
PUBLICATION TYPES:
JOURNAL ARTICLE
LANGUAGES:
Eng
REGISTRY NUMBERS:
0 (Indicators and Reagents)
0 (Plant Extracts)
18016-80-3 (Lisuride)
24305-27-9 (Protirelin)
51-61-6 (Dopamine)
9002-62-4 (Prolactin)
ABSTRACT:
In our studies on prolactin inhibition by plant extracts we focused on
the effects of extracts of Vitex agnus castus and its preparations on
rat pituitary cells under basal and stimulated conditions in primary
cell culture. Both extracts from Vitex agnus castus as well as
synthetic dopamine agonists (Lisuride) significantly inhibit basal as
well as TRH-stimulated prolactin secretion of rat pituitary cells in
vitro and as a consequence inhibition of prolactin secretion could be
blocked by adding a dopamine receptor blocker. Therefore because of
its dopaminergic effect Agnus castus could be considered as an
efficient alternative phytotherapeutic drug in the treatment of
slight hyperprolactinaemia.
NLM PUBMED CIT. ID:
8330858
SOURCE: Horm Metab Res 1993 May;25(5):253-5
2
NLM CIT. ID: 97173439
TITLE: The effects of a special Agnus castus extract (BP1095E1) on prolactin
secretion in healthy male subjects.
AUTHORS: Merz PG; Gorkow C; Schrodter A; Rietbrock S
Sieder C; Loew D; Dericks-Tan JS; Taubert HD
AUTHOR AFFILIATION:
Department for Clinical Pharmacology, Frankfurt University Clinic,
Neumarkt, Germany.
PUBLICATION TYPES:
CLINICAL TRIAL
CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL
JOURNAL ARTICLE
LANGUAGES:
Eng
REGISTRY NUMBERS:
0 (Plant Extracts)
24305-27-9 (Protirelin)
9002-62-4 (Prolactin)
ABSTRACT:
The effects of three doses of a special Agnus castus extract
(BP1095E1)--extracts from 120 mg, 240 mg and 480 mg of drug per
day--were examined within the framework of a placebo-controlled
clinical study of tolerance and prolactin secretion in 20 healthy
male subjects during a period of 14 days. There was good tolerance
during the study as regards the following: adverse effects, the
effects on blood pressure and heart rate, blood count, Quick's test,
clinical chemistry as well as testosterone, FSH and LH values. During
each study phase the 24-hour prolactin secretion profile was measured
from the penultimate to the final day, and the amount of prolactin
release was monitored an hour after TRH stimulation on the last day.
A significant increase in the 24-hour profile was registered with the
lowest dose in comparison to placebo, the opposite being the case
with the higher doses, i.e. a slight reduction. In contrast to the
administration of placebo, the 1-hour AUC after TRH stimulation
resulted in a significant increase with the lowest dose and a
significant reduction with the highest dose. The results suggest
effects of the special Agnus castus extract which are dependent on
the dose administered and the initial level of prolactin
concentration.
NLM PUBMED CIT. ID:
9021345
SOURCE: Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 1996;104(6):447-53
3
NLM CIT. ID: 93378630
TITLE: [Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of luteal phase defects
due to latent hyperprolactinemia. Results of a randomized
placebo-controlled double-blind study]
VERNACULAR TITLE:
Vitex agnus castus-Extrakt zur Behandlung von Regeltempoanomalien
infolge latenter Hyperprolaktinamie. Ergebnisse einer randomisierten
Plazebo-kontrollierten Doppelblindstudie.
AUTHORS: Milewicz A; Gejdel E; Sworen H; Sienkiewicz K
Jedrzejak J; Teucher T; Schmitz H
AUTHOR AFFILIATION:
Abteilung fur Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule, Hamburg.
PUBLICATION TYPES:
CLINICAL TRIAL
JOURNAL ARTICLE
RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL
LANGUAGES:
Ger
REGISTRY NUMBERS:
0 (Capsules)
0 (Hormones)
0 (Plant Extracts)
9002-62-4 (Prolactin)
ABSTRACT:
The efficacy of a Vitex agnus castus preparation (Strotan capsules)
was investigated in a randomized double blind study vs. placebo. This
clinical study involved 52 women with luteal phase defects due to
latent hyperprolactinaemia. The daily dose was one capsule (20 mg)
Vitex agnus castus preparation and placebo, respectively. Aim of the
study was to prove whether the elevated pituitary prolactin reserve
can be reduced and deficits in luteal phase length and luteal phase
progesterone synthesis be normalized. Blood for hormonal analysis was
taken at days 5-8 and day 20 of the menstrual cycle before and after
three month of therapy. Latent hyperprolactinaemia was analysed by
monitoring the prolactin release 15 and 30 min after i.v. injection
of 200 micrograms TRH. 37 complete case reports (placebo: n = 20,
verum: n = 17) after 3 month of therapy were statistically evaluated.
The prolactin release was reduced after 3 months, shortened luteal
phases were normalised and deficits in the luteal progesterone
synthesis were eliminated. These changes were significant and
occurred only in the verum group. All other hormonal parameters did
not change with the exception of 17 beta-estradiol which rouse up in
the luteal phase in patients receiving verum. Side effects were not
seen, two women treated with the Vitex agnus castus preparation got
pregnant. The tested preparation is thought to be an efficient
medication in the treatment of luteal phase defects due to latent
hyperprolactinaemia.
NLM PUBMED CIT. ID:
8369008
SOURCE: Arzneimittelforschung 1993 Jul;43(7):752-6
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This Page Last Updated on 6th. July, 2000