Hyperforin - a hypericum extract

Hyperforin a constituent of Hypericum (St. John Wort) extract

St John wort extract (Hypericum perforatum) have been shown to be an effective option in the treatment of mild to moderately severe depressive disorders. The antibiotic compound produced by the plant was termed hyperforin. Learn on Hyperforin plant.

The effectiveness of a SJW (St. John Wort) formula to relieve depression depends on its hyperforin content. Hyperforin is a component with antibiotic and antidepressive activities

Hyperforin and its action:

Biochemical research demonstrates that hyperforin - like many prescription antidepressants - inhibits the reuptake of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. These are the chemicals that help to send the message to and from the brain. If wrong Neurotransmitters are produced the body works inefficiently in some way and illness results. Many of the anti-depressants that are used are made up of a substances designed to correct these imbalances that exits.

Hyperforin acts as a "reuptake inhibitor" and increases the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain, which further improves mood and restore emotional balance. Hyperforin also inhibits the reuptake of GABA which is a neurotransmitter associated with increasing relaxation and reducing anxiety.

Furthermore, potencies of two different hypericum extracts useful for the detection of antidepressants (behavioral despair, learned helplessness), closely correlate with their hyperforin contents. In addition to this, most of the neuropharmacological properties of the clinically used hypericum extracts can also be demonstrated with pure hyperforin. It appears, therefore, that this non-nitrogenous constituent is a possible major active principle responsible for the observed clinical desired effects of the extract as an antidepressant and that it could also be a starting point for drug discovery projects.

Hyperforin and structure:

The structure of hyperforin is similar to phloroglucinol being expanded into a bicyclo [3,3,1] nonaendionolis and substituted with several lipophilic isoprene chains. Hyperforin does not resemble with any other antibiotic in structure.

Research and studies on Hyperforin Effectiveness:

To study and investigate the role of Hyperforin in antidepressant properties of St. John's Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ), researchers compared the effects of two St. John's wort extracts and used them in 147 patients with mild or moderate depression. The two St. John's wort extracts used in the research were standardized to either 5 percent or 0.5 percent hyperforin.

The investigations concluded to the fact that Hypericum extract standardized to 5 percent hyperforin is an effective option in treating mild or moderate depression in patients. Hyperforin avoids the well-known side effects of other antidepressant agents like tricyclics or SSRIs as well as the abuse potential of benzodiazepine drugs.

Hyperforin is naturally present in St. John's wort in larger amounts than hypericin, the marker compound to which most St. John's wort extracts are now standardized. Know various treatments other than hyperforin for depression.

know more on hyperforin availability and st john wort. Also learn uses and effectiveness of hyperforin.

Hyperforin and Clarocet NRI