Association Between Chemical And Genetic Variation Of The Medicinal Plant Vitex Rotundifolia And The Mechanism Of Fructus Viticis For Anti-PMS Effect

The studies on Vitex roundifolia L. (Vitex trifolia L. var. simplicifolia Cham.) and its dried fruits—Fructus Viticis was mainly as following two aspects:Firstly,The HPLC data showed considerable variation of chemical constituents among the 14 V. rotundifolia populations. The hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) further revealed four major groups based on their chemotype variation. Using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers, genetic diversity and clonal variation in V. rotundifolia populations from China were investigated. The overall genetic diversity of V. rotundifolia populations in China was moderate (GD=0.190), with about 40% within-population variation. The AMOVA data and UPGMA dendrogram showed considerable genetic differentiation of the populations, and by sampling individuals in a population at >20m spatial intervals to avoid collecting individuals with the identical or similar genotypes. Abundant genetic diversity was detected among the V. rotundifolia populations that also were clustered into four groups based on their ISSR data. According to association between chemical and genetic variation of Vitex rotundifolia, it is important to point out that genetic variation pattern revealed by molecular markers was closely associated with that indicated by chemical constitutes in the fruits of V. rotundifolia. This finding provides solid basis for the combined uses of chemical and genetic fingerprints in efficiently evaluating qualities and choosing favourable chemotypes with appropriate pharmacological properties of V. rotundifolia, in addition to establishing good agricultural practices (GAP) for medicinal plants.In the study of anti-PMS integration mechanism of bioactive chemical groups of Fructus Viticis to treat premenstrual syndrome, we evaluated the activity constituents from the V. rotundifolia extracts (VRE) and its major components, casticin and luteolin (flavonoid), rotundifuran (diterpene) and agnuside (glucosides) by measuring the relative proliferative effects (RPE) and estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and PS2 mRNA expression of estrogen receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 cells in vitro to elucidate its ability to regulate the level of estrogen and progesterone; and also evaluated them by hyperprolactinemia models to elucidate its ability to lower prolactin, all of these may be useful to anti-PMS. VRE and its major components- agnuside and rotundifuran displayed estrogenic activities via the estrogen response pathway through interaction with the ER, progesterone receptor and PS2. And the same time, casticin has potent anti-hyperprolactinaemia properties also playing an important role in treating PMS. This supports that notion that herbal medicine exerts its effects through multiple and synergistic mechanisms in the treatment of diseases.