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Updated: Jul 20, 2026

High-resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Studying Chemical Constituents of Gynura bicolor DC
Published on: February 2, 2024
Hyperforin
1Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 1, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany. l.beerhues@tu-bs.de
Abstract:
Hyperforin is a polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol derivative from Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort). It exhibits antidepressant activity by a novel mechanism of action, antibiotic activity against gram-positive bacteria, and antitumoral activity in vivo. However, it also produces drug-drug interactions by activation of the pregnan X receptor. No total synthesis has been described. Some natural and semisynthetic analogues are available to study structure-activity relationships. Enzymatically, the skeleton of hyperforin is formed by isobutyrophenone synthase from isobutyryl-CoA and three molecules of malonyl-CoA. The first prenylation step is catalyzed by a soluble and ion-dependent dimethylallyltransferase. Hyperforin mainly accumulates in pistils and fruits where it probably serves as defensive compound.
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