Herbal antidepressant Hypericum perforatum

Ernst E, Rand JI, Barnes J, Stevinson C. (1998). Adverse effects profile of the herbal antidepressant St. John s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). EurJ Clin Pharmacol. 54(8) 589-94. 

Flavonoids in the diet have been widely promoted as important antioxidant contributors. Their neuroprotective properties, because of this effect, have been demonstrated by several workers. However, they have also been demonstrated to have MAOI activity and this has been proposed as part of the explanation of the use of the common herb, St Johns Wort, Hypericum perforatum L., as an antidepressant. This dual role has now been proposed for a variety of flavonoids, such as kaempferol (22) from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L., a widely used herbal product which has been suggested as a preventative agent against neurodegeneration. Quercetin (23), similarly, has also shown to inhibit MAO-B " and reverse the effects of induced catalepsy, which mimics the bradykinesia associated with PD. Tangeretin (24) also inhibits MAO-B and crosses the blood brain barrier in a rat model. 

Nahrstedt A. Antidepressant constituents of Hypericum perforatum. In Chrubasik S, Roufogalis BD, eds. Herbal Medicinal Products for the Treatment of Pain. Lismore Southern Cross University Press, 2000 144—153. 

St. John s wort is derived from the flowers of the Hypericum perforatum plant that grows throughout England, Europe, Asia, and parts of the United States. This herbal supplement has been used extensively to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. Although the details are unclear, St. John s wort probably contains several chemicals that alter the balance of central nervous system (CNS) neurotransmitters affecting mood and behavior.46,84 As discussed in Chapter 7, depression seems to be associated with a fundamental defect in amine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. St. John s wort may promote changes in these neurotransmitters in a manner similar to conventional prescription antidepressants.56,84 Many people have therefore used St. John s wort as an alternative medication to help improve mood and resolve the symptoms of depression.46,72... 

Huff see Inhalants Hug drug see Ecstasy Humibid DM see Dextromethorphan Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) see Diuretics Hydroflumethiazide see Diuretics Hydrostat see Hydromorphone Hypericum perforatum see Antidepressants Herbal drugs... 

St. John s wort. The St. John s wort plant (Hypericum perforatum Figure 6.4) is an increasingly popular herbal supplement that proponents claim has the ability to cure a vast array of ailments. St. John s wort appears to boost the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain, which may be the reason it is able to treat anxiety and depression. The herb contains numerous substances, two of which, hypericin and hyperforin, maybe key active ingredients. St. John s wort appears to be effective in relieving the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia and the tissue pain associated with hemorrhoids. The herb comes in tablet, capsule, cream, and ointment forms and must be taken for several weeks before it takes full effect. St. John s wort should not be taken with antidepressants such as... 

Hypericum perforatum (St John s wort) (Hypericaceae) major herbal antidepressant... 

Many patients with mild to moderate depression are aware of the potential benefits of the herbal remedy St. John s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). The active ingredients in the h3rpericum extract have yet to be identified and their mode of action is unclear, although it has been postulated that several of the known mechanisms of existing antidepressants are incorporated (inhibition of monoamine reuptake and the monoamine oxidase enzyme, as well as a stimulation of GABA receptors). Much of the original research into the efficacy of St. John s Wort was performed in Germany where its use is well established. Several direct comparisons with tricyclic antidepressants have shown equivalent rates of response but these studies should be interpreted with caution since many trials failed to... 

A second major herbal medicine is St. John s wort, which consists of the leaves and flowering parts of Hypericum perforatum L. (Clusiaceae). It is sold as an antidepressant in both the United States and Europe and its sales in... 

Saint-John s-wort is one example of a natural herbal remedy for depression that has recently gained in popularity and prevalence across the United States. In Europe, it is reportedly outselling the prescription medication Prozac. Saint-John s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a lush green herb with bright yellow flowers that has traditionally been used to heal wounds and as a tea to soothe nerves and relieve melancholy. The natural antidepressant effect that results enhances the neurochemical serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine with few side effects (Lemonick, 1997). 

Tricyclic antidepressants are the mainstay of treatment of painful polyneuropathy, but cannot be used in a substantial number of patients. St. John s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a herbal antidepressant which may act via mechanisms similar to tricyclics. Clinical trials have extensively reported the ability of Hypericum perforatum extracts to exert a significant antidepressant activity [224-226], Hypericins, Fig. (13) are considered to be one of the compounds contributing to the activity of the extract [227], These... 

St. John s wort Hypericum perforatum), an herb used extensiveiy in the treatment of miid to moderate depression in Europe, has aroused interest in the United States. A bushy, iow-growing plant covered with yeiiow fiowers in summer, St. John s wort has been used for centuries in many folk and herbal remedies. In Germany, hypericum is used in the treatment of depression more than any other antidepressant. The scientific studies that have been conducted regarding its use have been short-term, however, and have used several different doses. St. John s Wort works like the SSRIs, in that it not only increases the availability of 5-HT in synaptic clefts by blocking its reuptake but also increases the availability of NE, which increases energy and alertness, and dopamine, which increases the feeling of well-being. 

St. John s wort, Hypericum perforatum L. (Guttiferae), is one of the most widely used herbal antidepressants. Several systematic review report St. John s wort to be more effective than placebo and equally effective as synthetic antidepressant dmgs in the short-term treatment of depressive disorders. 

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