Perspective Vitex agnus-castus L.: Main Features and Nutraceutical Perspectives Eliana B. Souto 1,2,*, Alessandra Durazzo 3 , Amirhossein Nazhand 4, Massimo Lucarini 3, Massimo Zaccardelli 5, Selma B. Souto 6, Amelia M. Silva 7,8 , Patricia Severino 9,10,11 , Ettore Novellino 12 and Antonello Santini 12,* 1 Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal 2 CEB-Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal 3 CREA-Research Centre for Food and Nutrition, Via Ardeatina 546, 00178 Roma, Italy; [email protected] (A.D.); [email protected] (M.L.) 4 Department of Biotechnology, Sari Agricultural Science and Natural Resource University, 9th km of Farah Abad Road, Sari 48181 68984, Mazandaran, Iran; [email protected] 5 CREA-Research Centre for Vegetable and Ornamental Crops, Via Cavalleggeri 25, 84098 Pontecagnano (Salerno), Italy; [email protected] 6 Department of Endocrinology of Braga Hospital, Sete Fontes, 4710-243 São Victor, Braga, Portugal; [email protected] 7 Department of Biology and Environment, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; [email protected] 8 Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Quinta de Prados, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal 9 Industrial Biotechnology Program, University of Tiradentes (UNIT), Av. Murilo Dantas 300, 49032-490 Aracaju, Brazil; [email protected] 10 Tiradentes Institute, 150 Mt Vernon St., Dorchester, MA 02125, USA 11 Laboratory of Nanotechnology and Nanomedicine (LNMED), Institute of Technology and Research (ITP), Av. Murilo Dantas, 300, 49010-390 Aracaju, Brazil 12 Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy; [email protected] * Correspondence: ebsouto@ff.uc.pt (E.B.S.); [email protected] (A.S.); Tel.: +351-239-488-400 (E.B.S.); +39-81-253-9317 (A.S.) Received: 14 May 2020; Accepted: 10 July 2020; Published: 16 July 2020 Abstract: Medicinal plants are used worldwide due to their lower risk of side effects and eco-friendly, cost-effective production when compared to chemical drugs, encouraging researchers to further exploit the therapeutic potential of the former. One of the most popular medicinal plants is Vitex agnus-castus L., grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, to which different health benefits have already been attributed. In this perspective article, the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic properties of V. agnus-castus L. have been analyzed and reviewed with a special focus on its health-promoting effects and potential nutraceutical applications. Keywords: chaste tree; Vitex agnus-castus L.; bioactive compounds; in vitro studies; in vivo studies; nutraceuticals; health-promoting properties. 1. Introduction Medicinal wild plants and herbs have been considered worldwide for centuries as valuable tools in the management of different diseases, due to their ease of use and improved cost-effectiveness when compared to chemical remedies obtained from synthesis [1]. Plants have recently been exploited Forests 2020, 11, 761; doi:10.3390/f11070761 www.mdpi.com/journal/forests ForestsForests 20202020Forests,, 1111 2020,, x 761 FOR, 11, PEERx FOR REVIEW PEER REVIEW 22 of of 17 162 of 17 cost-effectivenesscost-effectiveness when whencompared compared to chemical to chemical reme diesreme obtaineddies obtained from fromsynthesis synt hesis[1]. Plants [1]. 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