Whole Is Greater than the Parts

To ensure lot-to-lot consistency, standardization of extracts often relies on constituents as biomarkers for plant identity and potency. SJW Hypericum perforatum), a perennial shrub traditionally used as a mood enhancer and mild antidepressant, has been tested in dozens of clinical trials, with mixed results for efficacy. Some of its purported bioactive constituents include naphthodianthrones, including hypericin flavonoids phloroglucinols, including hyperforin and essential oils. For many years, hypericin was presumed to be the active component. As a result most extracts were standardized based on hypericin concentration. Recent data, however, support other components such as hyperforin and the flavanoids, that may also contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of the SJW extracts (33-35). Because these secondary components were previously unaccounted for in the standardization of the former clinical test articles, and because these constituents are chemically unrelated to and their content within the plant varies independently of hypericin, it has been argued that the potency of these constituents in any particular batch was unlikely to be similar to that of other batches. This variability between batches could explain the observed differences in the clinical trial results (36). 

Mann J. Murder, Magic, and Medicine. Oxford University, 1994. 

National Institutes of Health News. National Institute of General Medical Sciences Chemistry Center Grants to Expand Drug Discovery Toolkit. 

Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration. Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Draft Guidance for Industry-Botanical Drug Products (http //www.fda.gov/cder/guidance/4592dft.htm. June, 2004). 

Starr P. The Social Transformation of American Medicine. NY Basic Books, Inc., 1982 50-52 96. 

---