The essential oil isolated from fresh aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. One hundred and thirty four identified compounds accounted for 98.7% of the total oil. The main components of the oil were: germacrene D (18.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (11.2%), 2-methyloctane (9.5%), α-pinene (6.5%), bicyclogermacrene (5.0%) and (E)-β-ocimene (4.6%). The volatile profile of H...

This special issue on the genus Hypericum (family Hypericaceae) consists of 12 articles focusing on recent advancements related to biosynthetic pathways, biotechnology, molecular biology, genomics, pharmacology, and related disciplines. Hypericum is well-known for its medicinal properties. There are about 487 Hypericum spp., which are distributed across every continent except Antarctica. Althou...

Hypericum perforatum L. (St. Johns’ wort) is the most commercially important species of the genus Hypericum and contains a wide range of components including naphthodianthrones, phloroglucinols, tannins, xanthones, phenolic acids and essential oil. In order to establish an efficient protocol for regeneration, the effects of explant type and plant growth regulators on direct and indirect shoot r...

The active medicinal constituents in Hypericum perforatum, used to treat depression and skin irritation, include flavonoids and xanthones. The carbon skeletons of these compounds are formed by chalcone synthase (CHS) and benzophenone synthase (BPS), respectively. Polyclonal antisera were raised against the polyketide synthases from Hypericum androsaemum and their IgG fractions were isolated. Im...

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...

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...