Introduction

Because suicide is one of the leading causes of death in elderly people and in other populations, rapid and effective treatment of depression is warranted. Current therapies include the use of electroconvulsive (shock) therapy, psychiatric intervention, and antidepressant drugs such as

tricyclic antidepressants

(TCAs),

monoamine oxidase inhibitors

(MAOIs), and

serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors

(SSRIs). Recently, in the U.S., the use of

St. John’s wort

(

Hypericum perforatum

) has become more prevalent, especially in the treatment of depression.