Abstract

ST. JOHN’S WORT: MINI REVIEW

Neha Sharma*, Uma Advani, Monika Jain, Lokendra Sharma, Alka Bansal, Charu Jain

Abstract

St. John’s wort (SJW) belongs to the Hypericaceae family. Its botanical name is Hepericum perforatum Linn. Its aerial part contain anthraquinone derivatives, hypericin, usigtoercin, protohypericin, phenolic acid and tannins. It inhibits the reuptake of monoamines, serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline and the amino-acid neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate. The constituents of SJW are hypericin, pseudohypericin, flavonoids and oligomeric procyanidines, but the major constituent responsible for the antidepressant effect is thought to be hyperforin. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) have been used in folk medicine for a long time for a range of indications including depressive disorders. It is under various phases of study for other conditions like for irritable bowel syndrome, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized social anxiety disorder (GSAD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), in relieving fatigue in patients undergoing chemotherapy or hormone therapy for cancer. This herbal drug has fewer side effects than many conventional antidepressants and is better tolerated. SJW is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 which results in decreased efficacy of antiretrovirals, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, antiepileptics, irinotecan, and other chemotherapeutic agents.

Keywords: St. John’s Wort, antidepressant, hyperforin.