St John's Wort for depression

St. John's Wort reduces neuropathic pain through a hypericin-mediated inhibition of the protein kinase C γ and ɛ activity

“…The potential induction of side effects by SJW and components at the doses able to increase the pain threshold was, therefore, investigated. In accordance with the literature data that indicate SJW as a medicinal plant with a favourable tolerability and safety profile [15], the SJW dried extract, CHL and MET fractions, at the highest active doses employed in the present study, caused neither detectable modification in the rats gross behaviour, nor did they alter their locomotive activity. Similar profile was also demonstrated by purified SJW main components.…”

“…Hypericum perforatum L., commonly known as St. John's Wort (SJW), has been proven to relieve mild-to-moderate forms of depression and tests have also shown SJW to have favourable side effects [15]. The most common SJW preparations used are hydroalcoholic extracts of the aerial portion of the plant that contain at least ten different kinds of biochemical compounds [16].…”

World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) Guidelines for Biological Treatment of Unipolar Depressive Disorders, Part 1: Acute and Continuation Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

“…There is evidence from a substantial number of controlled trials which suggests that extracts from the plant Hypericum perforaturn (popularly called St. John's wort) are more effective than placebo for the short-term treatment of mild to moderately severe depressive disorders (Level A) (Kim et a1 1999;Williams et a1 2000;Linde and Mulrow 2001). A meta-analysis of hypericum for depressive disorders, including 14 trials with 1417 patients, confirmed the herb's superior efficacy compared to placebo treatment (Williams et a1 2000).…”

“…Adverse effects appear to occur less frequently with St. John's wort, compared to tricyclic antidepressants (Kim et a1 1999). There is little information on the herb's medium-to long-term efficacy and side effects (AHCPR 1999;Linde and Mulrow 2001). There is evidence that hypericum can interact with a number of prescription drugs (for example, it can decrease blood levels of TCAs and antiretroviral medications used in the treatment of HIV infection).…”

Herbal Medicine in the United States: Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation

“…20,21 Prior trials of St. John's wort present conflicting and confusing evidence, but the herb is likely effective for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. 22,23 Two recent studies found it to be ineffective for patients with severe depression. 24,25 Enthusiasm for the use of St. John's wort is tempered by the many well-documented drug interactions.…”