Vulvovaginal candidiasis is a frequently encountered infection of the female genital organs, which is caused by Candida species. Candida albicans is the causative agent of the majority of infections. Vitex agnus-castus (vitex) has previously been shown to have some antimicrobial effects. A study published in Current Medical Mycology determined the anti-fungal effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of vitex against clinical vaginal isolates of C. albicans in comparison with fluconazole.

The bioactive components of vitex were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Forty C. albicans clinical isolates were identified. Following extraction of vitex, drug susceptibility test was carried out according to the clinical laboratory standards institute (CLSI) M27-S4 document guidelines.

The key chemical components of vitex leaf as determined by gas chromatography included α-Pinene, isoterpinolene, caryophyllene, and azulene. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of vitex, as well as fluconazole were within the ranges of 15.62-62.5, 7.81-15.62, and 0.25-8 μg/mL, respectively. The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of vitex were therefore found to have antifungal activity against clinical isolates of C. albicans. The alcoholic extract of vitex and fluconazole seemed to be more effective against clinical vaginal isolates of C. albicans compared to the aqueous extract of vitex.