BACKGROUND Extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) are widely used to treat depression. Evidence for its efficacy has been criticised on methodological grounds. AIMS To update evidence from randomised trials regarding the effectiveness of Hypericum extracts. METHODS We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 double-blind randomised controlled trials that compared cli...

Extracts of Hypericum, Passiflora and Valeriana are used for the treatment of mild depression and anxiety. We were interested whether a combination of Hypericum and Passiflora exerts comparable effects to Hypericum alone. We used two well-established models for investigating extracts for their anti-depressant activity, namely the effects on synaptic uptake of serotonin and the forced-swimming-t...

Observations: Hypericin, originating from Hypericum perforatum, is a potent photosensitizer known to induce skin phototoxicity when given systemically. Hypericum perforatum is a botanical extracts with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect. Photocontact dermatitis is a common cutaneous reaction by various herbs. We describe a 54-year-old female patient with Hypericum perforatum associated ...

OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort extract) with imipramine in patients with mild to moderate depression. DESIGN Randomised, multicentre, double blind, parallel group trial. SETTING 40 outpatient clinics in Germany. PARTICIPANTS 324 outpatients with mild to moderate depression. INTERVENTION 75 mg imipramine twice daily or 250 mg h...

AIM Effects of homeopathic treatment with Hypericum perforatum (Hypericum) on peripheral nerve regeneration was studied using a rat sciatic nerve transection model. METHODS Fifty-four male healthy White Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups (n = 18), randomly: Sham-operation (Sham), control: silicon tube (Sil) and treatment: silicon tube + Hypericum (Sil/Hypericum). In the S...

BACKGROUND Extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) have been traditionally recommended for a wide range of medical conditions, in particular mild-to-moderate depression. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum treatment in a mouse model of anxiety/depressive-like behavior, induced by chronic corticosterone administration. METHODS CD1 mice we...