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[St. Johns wort extract as plant antidepressant]
1Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine Psychiatrie, Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie Wien.
Praxis
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Hypericum extract, used for mild to moderate depression, offers a favorable side effect profile compared to synthetic antidepressants. Clinical trials confirm its efficacy and safety at recommended dosages.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Context:
- Standardized hypericum extract approved in Austria and Germany since 1998 for depression.
- Efficacy recognized by German Health Authorities since 1984, supported by traditional knowledge.
- Substantiated by numerous controlled clinical trials over subsequent years.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypericum extract in treating mild to moderate depression.
- To compare hypericum extract with placebo and synthetic antidepressants.
- To determine effective dosages and assess the side effect profile.
Summary:
- Twenty clinical trials involving 1787 patients were analyzed, comparing ethanol and methanol extracts (LI 160).
- Effective dosage range established at 600-900 mg extract.
- Hypericum extract demonstrated substantially fewer side effects (around 3%) than synthetic antidepressants, with photosensitization being clinically irrelevant at recommended doses.
- Pharmacological studies indicate a mechanism of action similar to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), albeit to a lesser extent.
Impact:
- Provides a viable, well-tolerated alternative for managing mild to moderate depression.
- Highlights the importance of standardized extracts in herbal medicine research.
- Contributes to evidence-based recommendations for hypericum use in clinical practice.