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...

Depression is a common condition in the community with a significant impact on affected individuals, their relatives and society. Many patients with depression do not seek treatment and are often concerned about the possible adverse effects of antidepressant drugs. Extract of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) has long been recognized as a treatment for depression. Several published trials ...

Objective: Hypericum perforatum has demonstrated antidepressant efficacy when compared to placebo, but comparisons with other antidepressants remain controversial. We assessed the efficacy and safety of Hypericum perforatum in comparison with fluoxetine, in a 8-week double-blind trial in patients with mild to moderate depression. Method: Seventy-two outpatients were randomly assigned to receive...

Hypericum species, growing wild in Anatolia, widely used in traditional medicine in Turkey. In order to determine the genotoxic effect of Hypericum heterophyllum, human lymphocytes were incubated with the aqueous extracts. The increasing extract concentrations of Hypericum heterophyllum induced micronucleus. The rise of micronucleus shows that Hypericum heterophyllum at high concentrations may ...

Since ancient times, the essential oils (EOs) of many aromatic plants have been used as bioactive ingredients in drug, food and cosmetic formulations all over the world. Significant biological properties have also been attributed to Hypericum EOs. Hypericum is a genus of about 450 species in the Guttiferae family, formerly often treated separately in their own Hypericaceae family. Despite the l...

Herb-drug interactions are an important safety concern and this study was conducted regarding the interaction between the natural top-selling antidepressant remedy Hypericum perforatum (Hypericaceae) and conventional drugs. This study examined the influence of acute pretreatment with different extracts of Hypericum perforatum from Serbia on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, impairment of mot...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of hypericum extract WS 5570 (St John's wort) compared with paroxetine in patients with moderate to severe major depression. DESIGN Randomised double blind, double dummy, reference controlled, multicentre non-inferiority trial. SETTING 21 psychiatric primary care practices in Germany. PARTICIPANTS 251 adult outpatients with acute major depression with...