ABSTRACT
St. John’s wort is a member of the genus Hypericum, which has 400 species worldwide in Europe, West Asia, North Africa, North America, and Australia (2). In the Western United States, the use of St. John’s wort is especially prevalent in Northern California and Southern Oregon. The commercially available product contains hypericum dry extracts or their by-products prepared from flowers gathered during the time of blooming or from dried parts above ground. These extracts differ in varying degrees, based on their composition, from the following major natural product groups listed with suggested biological activities:
Major natural product groups Suggested biological activities
Dianthrone derivatives: Hypericin, pseudohypericin, anthranol, photohypericin, hypericodehydrodianthrone
Photodynamic, antidepressant [monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)], antiviral
Flavanols: Catechin polymers (condensed tannins), leucocyanidin, epicatechin
Astringent, anti-inflammatory, styptic, antiviral
Major natural product groups Suggested biological activities
Falvinoids: Hyperoside (hyperin), quercetin, rutin
Capillary-strengthening, antiinflammatory, diuretic, cholagogic, dilates coronary arteries, sedative, tumor inhibition, antitumor, antidiarrheal
Xanthones Generally antidepressant, antitubercular, choleretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and cardiotonic activity
Phloroglucinol derivatives: hyperforin Antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus) Essential oil components Antifungal
In modern European medicine, St. John’s wort extracts are included in many over-the-counter and prescription drugs for management of mild depression, and have clinical implications for bed-wetting and nightmares in children. The extracts are included in diuretic preparations and the oil is taken orally using a teaspoon to help heal gastritis, gastric ulcers, and inflammatory conditions of the colon. The oil is also used extensively externally in burn and wound remedies.
