Hypericum’s 90th Anniversary in the Laboratory

Fadime Kahyaoğlu; Buket Demirci

doi:10.5152/EurJTher.2018.517

Authors

Fadime Kahyaoğlu Department of Pathology Laboratory Techniques, Vocational School of Health Services, University of Avrasya, Trabzon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5149-8051
Buket Demirci Department of Medical Pharmacology, Adnan Menderes University, School of Medicine, Aydın https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3442-5061

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5152/EurJTher.2018.517

Keywords:

Depression, Hypericum perforatum, St. John’s wort, wound-healing

Abstract

Hypericum perforatum (HP) and its varieties are plants that have been attracting the attention of scientists since 1931. In almost every country, it is possible to encounter different HP varieties. Whereas in many countries HP is indicated as an antidepressant, its commonly used forms in our country are mainly oils for topical application due to its wound-healing properties. More than 50 substances in its composition have been well established and have been the subject of detailed scientific studies, such as those on antimicrobial, antineoplastic, and antioxidant effects. The most noteworthy point of its application in daily practice is the lack of standardization, which may lead to inadequate treatment and adverse drug interactions. Although HP’s antidepressant and wound-healing properties have been traditionally accepted, its side effects and safety profile limit its use in clinical application; in addition, the HP exposure in pregnancy is an arising issue. Considering that new drug molecules are usually approved in clinical use after 10–15 years, the safety of HP application in clinics have not been established even after 90 years of rigorous studies.

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