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St John's wort: a potential therapy for elderly depressed patients?
E U Vorbach1, K H Arnoldt, E Wolpert
1Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, am Evangelischen Krankenhaus Elisabethenstift Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
Drugs & Aging
|May 10, 2000
Summary
St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) extract, specifically LI 160, effectively treats severe depression. This herbal remedy offers better tolerability than traditional antidepressants, benefiting elderly patients with depression.
Area of Science:
- Herbal medicine
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) possesses a 2000-year history of medicinal use.
- Modern research has investigated its efficacy as a plant extract for depression treatment.
- Previous studies demonstrated effectiveness compared to placebo and standard antidepressants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific St John's wort extract (LI 160) in treating depression, particularly severe cases.
- To explore St John's wort as a potential alternative for elderly depressive patients experiencing treatment deficiencies.
Main Methods:
- Clinical investigation of St John's wort extract (LI 160).
- Comparative studies against placebo and reference antidepressants.
- Dosage-response analysis, including high-dosage evaluation.
Main Results:
- LI 160, a well-documented St John's wort medication, proved effective even in patients with severe depression at high dosages.
- St John's wort preparations exhibit better tolerability compared to tricyclic antidepressants.
Conclusions:
- High-dosage LI 160 is effective for severe depression.
- St John's wort extracts may serve as a viable alternative to benzodiazepines for early-stage depression in the elderly, addressing treatment gaps.
- Improved tolerability makes St John's wort a beneficial option for the elderly population.
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