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Neurochemical studies on Indian Hypericum perforatum L
V Kumar1, P N Singh, S K Bhattacharya
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Indian Journal of Experimental Biology
|August 9, 2001
Summary
Indian Hypericum perforatum extract (IHp) alters rat brain monoamine levels. It reduces serotonin (5-HT) and increases norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA), supporting its anxiolytic and antidepressant effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuropharmacology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Indian Hypericum perforatum (IHp) is traditionally used for various ailments.
- Previous studies suggest IHp possesses anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of IHp on monoamine and metabolite levels in rat brain regions.
- To correlate neurochemical changes with observed behavioral effects of IHp.
Main Methods:
- Administration of standardized ethanolic IHp extract (50 and 200 mg/kg) to rats.
- Quantification of serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and their metabolites (5-HIAA, MHPG, DOPAC) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
- Assay conducted in hypothalamus, hippocampus, striatum, pons-medulla, and frontal cortex 30 minutes post-administration.
Main Results:
- IHp significantly decreased 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels and turnover across all studied brain regions.
- IHp significantly increased NE and MHPG levels and turnover in all brain regions.
- IHp significantly elevated DA and DOPAC levels in the hypothalamus, striatum, and frontal cortex.
Conclusions:
- The observed neurochemical alterations, specifically reduced 5-HT activity and increased NE and DA activity, provide a biochemical basis for IHp's anxiolytic and antidepressant actions.
- Acute IHp administration modulates key monoamine systems in the rat brain.
- Findings support the rational use of IHp for mood-related disorders.