The main components of St John's Wort inhibit low-density lipoprotein atherogenic modification: A beneficial “side effect” of an OTC antidepressant drug?

In Vitro Antibacterial and Phytochemical Screening of Hypericum perforatum Extract as Potential Antimicrobial Agents against Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR) Strains of Clinical Origin

Background

The perennial plant Hypericum perforatum is widely distributed around the world. It has been used for many years in conventional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, including stress, mild to moderate depression, and minor injuries. This study examined the antimicrobial activity of the H. perforatum total extract and its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous) against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) isolates that were gathered from clinical samples, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia.

Materials and Methods

Aerial parts of H. perforatum were collected and extracted using various solvents and were tested versus different isolated bacterial species. The inhibition zone of tested extracts was detected using an agar diffusion assay, and MICs were measured. Phytochemical analysis of promising H. perforatum extract was done using LC-ESI-MS/MS. Ultrastructure examination for the most altered bacteria used transmission electron microscopy. Antioxidant assays were done using DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacity methods. Cytotoxicity was reported versus Vero cells.

Results

Different extracts of H. perforatum showed promising antibacterial activity against the pathogens. While the subfractions of the total extract were observed to show lesser inhibition zones and higher MIC values than the total extract of H. perforatum against MDR strains, the total extract of H. perforatum demonstrated the most potent antimicrobial action with an inhibition zone range of 17.9-27.9 mm. MDR-K. pneumoniae was discovered to be the most susceptible strain, which is consistent with the antibacterial inhibitory action of H. perforatum whole extract. Additionally, after treatment at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC 3.9 μg/ml), the transmission electron microscope showed alterations in the ultrastructure of the K. pneumoniae cells. Methanol extract from H. perforatum has a CC₅₀ value of 976.75 μg/ml.

Conclusion

Future inhibitors that target MDR strains may be revealed by these findings. Additionally, the extracts that were put to the test demonstrated strong antioxidant effects as shown by DPPH or ABTS radical-scavenging assays.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on the effects of SZL on patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder with comparison to fluoxetine

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Kaixinsan (KXS) decoction, as an herbal formula, was used to treat the diseases, such as insomnia, amnesia, emotional disorders in ancient china. It has been demonstrated to be active in various animal models resembling human depression with multitarget effects. However, effective verification on the clinical application of KXS is still lacking. Supplements in this knowledge field are urgently needed.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This very first study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of ShenZhiLing (SZL) tablets (KXS preparation), compared with fluoxetine (FLX, positive comparator), in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, 156 patients with mild to moderate depression without taken any antidepressants in the past 6 months or 4 continuous weeks were randomized to receive either 3.2 g/d SZL plus 20 mg/d FLX placebo (SZL group) or 20 mg/d FLX plus 3.2 g/d SZL placebo (FLX group), for 8 weeks. Their clinical presentations and some metabolic indexes were assessed during the 8 weeks' visiting period.

RESULTS

Patients in SZL group showed a statistically significant improvement after 8 weeks of treatment in HAM-D17 score (18.79±2.09 to 4.43±4.71, p<0.001) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) score (58.49±8.89 to 39.84±12.09, p<0.001), but not in N-back total respond time (1145.55±608.26 to 1128.47±387.49, p>0.05). In addition, no significant difference at 8 weeks of treatment was found between SZL and FLX groups in SDS score (39.84±12.09 vs. 36.63±12.44) and N-back respond time (1128.47±387.49 vs. 1089.43±352.08) as well as reduction of HAM-D17 score (14.79±4.88 vs. 15.24±4.29) (p>0.05 for all). However, the serum APOB, APOC3 and ALB levels and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio decreased significantly in patients after SZL treatment, while only APOB/APOA1 ratio decreased significantly in FLX group. Other metabolic indexes did not alter significantly after treated with SZL or FLX.

CONCLUSION

The efficacy and safety profile of SZL are comparable to that of fluoxetine in patients with mild to moderate depression. The beneficial effect of SZL is probably associated with improvement of lipid metabolic balance.

In vitro analysis of photosensitizer accumulation for assessment of applicability of fluorescence diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of epidermolysis bullosa patients

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of inherited skin disorders characterized by blistering following mechanical trauma. Chronic wounds of EB patients often lead to tumors such as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Early diagnosis may prevent its invasive growth--frequently the reason of premature mortality of EB-patients. Early detection of tumors is achieved by fluorescence diagnosis (FD), where photosensitizers localize selectively in tumors and fluoresce upon illumination. Excessive accumulation of photosensitizers in inflamed areas, as occasionally found at chronic wounds and tumors due to inflammatory processes, leads to false-positive results in FD. This study analyzed accumulation kinetics of the photosensitizers hypericin and endogenous protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in different skin cell lines including the three EB subtypes under normal and proinflammatory conditions (stimulated with TNF-alpha). The aim was to assess the applicability of FD of SCC in EB. All cell lines accumulate hypericin or PpIX mostly increasing with incubation time, but with different kinetics. SCC cells of recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) accumulate less hypericin or PpIX than nonmalignant RDEB cells. Nevertheless, tumor selectivity in vivo might be existent. Non-EB cell lines are more active concerning photosensitizer enrichment. Proinflammatory conditions of skin cell lines seem to have no major influence on photosensitizer accumulation.

Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum on selected traditional and novel biochemical factors of cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic lesions in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: A comparison between the extract and lovastatin

Context:

Evidence suggests that diets with high contents of cholesterol will increase serum lipoproteins and apolipoproteins, thereby increase risk of atherosclerosis. According to literature, some plants show hypolipidemic, hypocholestrolemic, and antiatherosclerotic activities.

Aims:

In this study, antiatherosclerotic effect of Hypericum perforatum hydroalcoholic extract on hypercholesterolemic rabbits was compared with that of lovastatin.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty five mature male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into five groups of five and were fed for 60 days as follows: Standard diet (GroupI), standard diet and hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/kg daily)(GroupII), standard diet, hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum (150 mg/ kg daily) and cholesterol (1% of food content) (Group III), standard diet and cholesterol (1% of food content)(GroupIV), and finally standard diet, lovastatin (10 mg/kg), and cholesterol (1% of foodcontent) (GroupV).

Results:

Hypericum perforatum extract significantly decreased the levels of apolipoprotein B(apoB), apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A (apoB/apoA), triglyceride, cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, oxidized LDL, malondialdehyde, and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as atherosclerosis index, and increased high density lipoprotein and apoA in rabbits of Group III compared to the rabbits of Group IV. The effect of Hypericum perforatum extract in decreasing the level of some biochemical factors like apoB, apoB/apoA, and CRP was meaningfully more than that of lovastatin. Histopathological findings confirmed that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum restricted the atherosclerotic lesions.

Conclusions:

This study indicates that hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum possesses hypolipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic effects and could be beneficial in the management of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.

Hyperforin promotes mitochondrial function and development of oligodendrocytes

St. John's wort has been found to be an effective and safe herbal treatment for depression in several clinical trials. However, the underlying mechanism of its therapeutic effects is unclear. Recent studies show that the loss and malfunction of oligodendrocytes are closely related to the neuropathological changes in depression, which can be reversed by antidepressant treatment. In this study, we evaluated the effects of hyperforin, a major active component of St. John's wort, on the proliferation, development and mitochondrial function of oligodendrocytes. The study results revealed that hyperforin promotes maturation of oligodendrocytes and increases mitochondrial function without affecting proliferation of an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell line and neural stem/progenitor cells. Hyperforin also prevented mitochondrial toxin-induced cytotoxicity in an oligodendrocyte progenitor cell line. These findings suggest that hyperforin may stimulate the development and function of oligodendrocytes, which could be a mechanism of its effect in depression. Future in vitro and in vivo studies are required to further characterize the mechanisms of hyperforin.

Hypolipidemic and Antiobesity-Like Activity of Standardised Extract of Hypericum perforatum L. in Rats

Hypericum perforatum is known to have diverse medicinal uses for centuries. The antidepressant activity of Hypericum perforatum is widely accepted and proved in both animal and clinical studies. Present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Hypericum perforatum in a battery of animal models for metabolic disorder. Hypericum is tested for hypolipidemic activity in normal rats, antiobesity activity in high-fat-diet induced obese rats, and fructose-fed rats. Hypericum was orally administered as suspension in 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 15 consecutive days. Hypericum significantly lowered total cholesterol and low-density cholesterol in normal rats. Hypericum significantly inhibited weight gain in high-fat-fed rats. In fructose-fed rats, Hypericum normalised the dyslipidemia induced by fructose feeding and improved the insulin sensitivity. Taken together, Hypericum could be the antidepressant therapy of choice for patients suffering from comorbid diabetes and obesity.

Factors affecting polyphenol biosynthesis in wild and field grown St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum L. Hypericaceae/Guttiferae)

The increasing diffusion of herbal products is posing new questions: why are products so often different in their composition and efficacy? Which approach is more suitable to increase the biochemical productivity of medicinal plants with large-scale, low-cost solutions? Can the phytochemical profile of a medicinal plant be modulated in order to increase the accumulation of its most valuable constituents? Will polyphenol-rich medicinal crops ever be traded as commodities? Providing a proactive answer to such questions is an extremely hard task, due to the large number of variables involved: intraspecific chemodiversity, plant breeding, ontogenetic stage, post-harvest handling, biotic and abiotic factors, to name but a few. An ideal path in this direction should include the definition of optimum pre-harvesting and post-harvesting conditions and the availability of specific Good Agricultural Practices centered on secondary metabolism enhancement. The first steps to be taken are undoubtedly the evaluation and the organization of scattered data regarding the diverse factors involved in the optimization of medicinal plant cultivation, in order to provide an interdisciplinary overview of main possibilities, weaknesses and drawbacks. This review is intended to be a synopsis of the knowledge on this regard focused on Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae/Guttiferae) secondary metabolites of phenolic origin, with the aim to provide a reference and suggest an evolution towards the maximization of St. John's Wort bioactive constituents. Factors considered emerged not only from in-field agronomic results, but also from physiological, genetical, biotic, abiotic and phytochemical data that could be scaled up to the application level. To increase quality for final beneficiaries, growers' profits and ultimately transform phenolic-rich medicinal crops into commodities, the emerging trend suggests an integrated and synergic approach. Agronomy and genetics will need to develop their breeding strategies taking account of the suggestions of phytochemistry, biochemistry, pharmacognosy and pharmacology, without losing sight of the economic balance of the production.