BACKGROUND There is a lack of basic knowledge on the part of both clinicians and patients as to the indications for use and safety of herbal medicines in pregnancy and lactation. This is one article in a series that systematically reviews the evidence for commonly used herbs during pregnancy and lactation. OBJECTIVES To systematically review the literature for evidence on the use, safety, and...

The present study was carried out using mice model of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in which mice were forced to swim everyday for 7 days for a 6 min session. There was a significant increase in despair behavior (immobility period) in saline treated mice on successive days. Treatment with potent antioxidants carvedilol (5 mg/kg, i.p.) and melatonin (10 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a significant reduc...

Continuous use of St. John's wort decreases the bioavailabilities of a variety of drugs. This interaction is attributed to the induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 and/or P-glycoprotein. In this study, we aimed to examine the chronic effects of St. John's wort and its constituents, hyperforin and hypericin, on the expression and function of P-glycoprotein in an intestinal cell line, LS 180. We also...

St. John's wort has been used to treat a variety of conditions. Several brands are standardized for content of hypericin and hyperforin, which are among the most researched active components of St. John's wort. St. John's wort has been found to be superior to placebo and equivalent to standard antidepressants for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Studies of St. John's wort for the t...

The chemical composition of St. John's wort has been well-studied. Documented pharmacological activities, including antidepressant, antiviral, and antibacterial effects, provide supporting evidence for several of the traditional uses stated for St John's wort. Many pharmacological activities appear to be attributable to hypericin and to the flavonoid constituents; hypericin is also reported to ...

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of St John's wort extract and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in the treatment of depression. METHODS Databases were searched for studies comparing efficacy and/or safety of St John's wort extract with SSRIs in depression from 1966 to April 2015. Stata software was used for statistical analysis. RESULT...

St. John's wort is a plant with yellow flowers that has been used for centuries for health purposes, such as for depression and anxiety. This fact sheet answers some frequently asked questions about St. John's wort and depression, and summarizes what the science says about its effectiveness and the research being done. • Studies suggest that St. John's wort is of minimal benefit in treating maj...

OBJECTIVE To report 2 cases of adverse reactions to St John's wort, a popular herbal treatment for depression. METHOD We present 2 case histories and review the existing literature regarding St John's wort. RESULTS St John's wort may cause serotonin syndrome in sensitive patients. In addition, St John's wort may be associated with hair loss. CONCLUSIONS For clinical reasons, it is importa...