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01.06.2015 | main topic

The mechanisms of action of St. John’s wort: an update

verfasst von: Dr. Mathias Schmidt, PhD, Prof. Dr. Veronika Butterweck

Erschienen in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift | Ausgabe 11-12/2015

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Summary

Pharmacological research confirms and supports the clinically observed antidepressant efficacy of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L., SJW). This contribution is an update of a former review by the authors in 2007. Positive evidence of antidepressant effects has been found with SJW preparations, extract fractions, and single constituents. The efficacy of SJW is obviously defined by a range of parallel mechanisms of action, triggered by different constituents. In vitro research showed, among other tests, positive effects in neurotransmitter regulation (in beta adrenergic systems and glutamate receptors) and ion channel conductance. Antidepressant effects were confirmed in typical in vivo models such as the forced swimming test, the open field test, the tail suspension test, or a model of stress-impaired memory. The overall effect cannot be attributed to a single constituent or fraction. SJW is therefore an outstanding example of the total extract being defined as the active constituent of herbal medicines.
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Metadaten
Titel
The mechanisms of action of St. John’s wort: an update
verfasst von
Dr. Mathias Schmidt, PhD
Prof. Dr. Veronika Butterweck
Publikationsdatum
01.06.2015
Verlag
Springer Vienna
Erschienen in
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift / Ausgabe 11-12/2015
Print ISSN: 0043-5341
Elektronische ISSN: 1563-258X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-015-0372-7