Topical Application of St. Johnʼs Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Abstract

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been intensively investigated for its antidepressive activity, but dermatological applications also have a long tradition. Topical St. John's wort preparations such as oils or tinctures are used for the treatment of minor wounds and burns, sunburns, abrasions, bruises, contusions, ulcers, myalgia, and many others. Pharmacological research supports the use in these fields. Of the constituents, naphthodianthrones (e.g., hypericin) and phloroglucinols (e.g., hyperforin) have interesting pharmacological profiles, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. In addition, hyperforin stimulates growth and differentiation of keratinocytes, and hypericin is a photosensitizer which can be used for selective treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer. However, clinical research in this field is still scarce. Recently, sporadic trials have been conducted in wound healing, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and herpes simplex infections, partly with purified single constituents and modern dermatological formulations. St. John's wort also has a potential for use in medical skin care. Composition and stability of pharmaceutical formulations vary greatly depending on origin of the plant material, production method, lipophilicity of solvents, and storage conditions, and this must be regarded with respect to practical as well as scientific purposes.

St. John’s wort and its component hyperforin alleviate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through expansion of regulatory T-cells

“…These effects would be in keeping with those seen in several investigations in animal models that reported that hyperforin regulated inflammation associated with immune-based diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's diseases (Kraus et al 2007;Mohanasundari & Sabesan 2007;Mozaffari et al 2011). Similarly, the current results would be in line with earlier studies that reported on how H. perforatum could be used as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-oxidant and/or a wound healing agent (Süntar et al 2010;Wolfle et al 2014).…”

“…It has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of mild-to-moderate depression (Barnes et al 2001). HP has also been used as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing herbal drug (Süntar et al 2010;Wolfle et al 2014).…”

Arzneipflanzen im Berner Pferdestall: Erfahrungswissen von Pferdehaltern

“…bei Wundheilungsstörungen in großen Teilen Europas eine lange Tradition. In den vergangenen Jahren konnte die entzündungshemmende und wundheilungsfördernde Wirkung von Johanniskrautauszügen auch in vitro und in vivo nachgewiesen werden [19,22,23]. Einige der für die vorliegende Studie befragten Pferdehalter wendeten Johanniskrautöl extern zur Behandlung von Verspannungen der Rückenmuskulatur und bei akuten Tendinitiden an.…”

Preparation and characterization of herbal emulsion formulations

“…Topical application of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) extract [1], marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) extract [2,3], wheat (Triticum vulgare L.) germ oil [4] and rose (Rosa damascena L.) oil [5] for various topical treatment approaches due to anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing effects indicated in scientific literatures. In this direction, combination of above mentioned herbal ingredients together in a formulation, which is cosmetically acceptable, stable, easily prepared and applicable, will be useful for the skin disorders.…”