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St. John's wort: Role of active compounds for its mechanism of action and efficacy

Johanniskraut – Beiträge der Inhaltsstoffe zu Wirkmechanismen und Wirksamkeit

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Zusammenfassung

Johanniskraut (Hypericum perforatum L., SJW) enthält viele Verbindungen mit dokumentierter biologischer Aktivität. Zu den Inhaltstoffen, die das größte Interesse ausgelöst haben, zählen die Naphthodianthrone Hypericin und Pseudohypericin, eine große Zahl von Flavonoiden sowie die Phloroglucinole Hyperforin und Adhyperforin. Nach dem aktuellen Stand der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisse muss der Gesamtextrakt als der eigentliche Wirkstoff betrachtet werden. Trotz einiger offener Fragen ergibt sich aus der Gesamtdatenlage, dass mehrere Inhaltstoffgruppen zur antidepressiven Wirksamkeit des Pflanzenextraktes beitragen.

Summary

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L., SJW) contains numerous compounds with documented biological activity. Constituents that have stimulated the most interest include the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, a broad range of flavonoids, and the phloroglucinols hyperforin and adhyperforin. According to the actual state of scientific knowledge the total extract has to be considered as the active substance. Although there are some open questions, the bulk of data suggests that several groups of active compounds are contributing to the antidepressant efficacy of the plant extract.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA

    Veronika Butterweck

  2. Herbresearch, Tussenhausen, Germany

    Mathias Schmidt

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  1. Veronika Butterweck
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  2. Mathias Schmidt
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Correspondence to Veronika Butterweck.

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Butterweck, V., Schmidt, M. St. John's wort: Role of active compounds for its mechanism of action and efficacy. Wien Med Wochenschr 157, 356–361 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-007-0440-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-007-0440-8

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