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A current update on phytochemistry, pharmacology and herb–drug interactions of Hypericum perforatum

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Abstract

Hypericum perforatum L. is an ethnomedicine with a popular remedial legacy; especially of antidepressant and wound healing properties. Rigorous preclinical and clinical research conducted in last sesqui-decade has revealed newer facets of its therapeutic activities against psychiatric, metabolic and neoplastic disorders. Most of such curative effects are imparted synergistically by hypericin, hyperforin and flavonoids; but their action mechanisms remain ambiguous. Concomitant administration of St. John’s Wort formulation and cytochrome P450 substrate drug is limited by the episodes of herb–drug interactions; nevertheless, adverse drug reaction rate of H. perforatum remains only 2%. In present review, we aim to highlight the ‘evidence-based’ therapeutic potential of aforementioned phytopharmaceutical, which would accelerate the contemporary pharmaceutical development of this traditional phytomedicine.

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Abbreviations

CRF:

Corticotropin-releasing factor

CYP:

Cytochrome P450

HPAA:

Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis

HYP:

Hypericum perforatum L.

HYPE:

H. perforatum extract

HYPEs:

H. perforatum extracts

IC50 :

Half maximal inhibitory concentration,

P-gp:

P-glycoprotein

TRPPC:

Transient receptor potential protein channel

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to the institute Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS Deemed to be University for providing splendid library facilities. The authors are also thankful to the Director and Dean of the same for their encouraging support to shape this article.

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  1. Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM’s NMIMS University, Mumbai, India

    Vinay S. Velingkar, Girdharilal L. Gupta & Namita B. Hegde

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  1. Vinay S. Velingkar
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  2. Girdharilal L. Gupta
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  3. Namita B. Hegde
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Correspondence to Namita B. Hegde.

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Velingkar, V.S., Gupta, G.L. & Hegde, N.B. A current update on phytochemistry, pharmacology and herb–drug interactions of Hypericum perforatum . Phytochem Rev 16, 725–744 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-017-9503-7

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