Is St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) an effective antidepressant?
SJW is a remarkably safe antidepressant with an apparently unique mode of action. Although it has demonstrated efficacy in mild and moderate depression when compared with placebo or tricyclic antidepressants, several research areas beg to be explored. Its effects should be compared with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Studies in severely depressed patients are lacking, as are studies on its utility as a therapeutic adjunct to standard antidepressants.
Adult Psychopharmacology Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Rockville, Maryland 20857, USA.
J M
JM
Cott
A
A
Fugh-Berman
D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011794:Quercetin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D014966:Xanthenes / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000873:Anthracenes; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014966:Xanthenes; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin; D011794:Quercetin; D011493:Protein Kinase C