ST JOHN'S WORT Chemische Eigenschaften,Einsatz,Produktion Methoden
Occurrence
St. John's wort is found in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Verwenden
St. John's wort is used to treat mild to moderate depression and anxiety. It may be used topically as an antiinfl ammatory to relieve hemorrhoids, as well as to treat vitiligo and burns.
Indications
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a yellowflowered
perennial European herb that has become
widely naturalized in the United States. Its name is
derived from the Old English word for plant, wort, and
from the fact that it often starts blooming around June
24, St. John’s day. Although St. John’s wort has traditionally
been used for wound healing, insomnia,
rheumatism, and depression, it is most popular today
for the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
The leafy parts of the herb contain naphthodianthrones
(e.g., hypericin), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin),
and phloroglucinols (e.g., hypaphorine). Although this
herb is now commonly standardized for its hypericin
content, it appears that its other constituents may also
be just as pharmacologically active.
Mechanism of action
Just how St. John’s wort treats depression is not clearly
understood. It is possible that this herb’s various components
may work synergistically rather than through a
single active substance, mimicking the action of traditional
antidepressants. High concentrations can affect in
vitro serotonin reuptake, but it is unclear whether this
would occur in a patient taking standard oral doses.The
hypaphorine constituent may possess serotonin reuptake
inhibitor activity, and it also inhibits synaptic uptake
of amino butyric acid (GABA) and L-glutamate.
Earlier studies demonstrated some monoamine oxidase
inhibition, but this action now seems unlikely to be clinically
relevant. Flavonoid components and hypericin
also may weakly inhibit catechol-O-methyl-transferase
(COMT). Melatonin, surprisingly, has also been identified
in St. John’s wort and may play a role in its sleepenhancing
and antidepressant effects.
Clinical Use
St. John’s wort is very popular as a physician-prescribed
antidepressant in Europe and is widely used for this
purpose—usually without medical guidance—in the
United States.A meta-analysis of 23 studies concluded
that St. John’s wort was more effective than placebo in
treating mild to moderate depression and was as effective
as imipramine and standard antidepressants. It was
also better tolerated than the antidepressants to which
it was compared. A recent meta-analysis, however,
failed to find St. John’s wort effective for severe depression.
ST JOHN'S WORT Upstream-Materialien And Downstream Produkte
Upstream-Materialien
Downstream Produkte
