title: The main components of St John's Wort inhibit low-density lipoprotein atherogenic modification: a beneficial "side effect" of an OTC antidepressant drug?
abstract: Hypericin and pseudohypericin are polycyclic-phenolic structurally related compounds found in Hypericum perforatum L. (St John's wort). As hypericin has been found to bind to LDL one may assume that it can act as antioxidant of LDL lipid oxidation, a property which is of prophylactic/therapeutic interest regarding atherogenesis as LDL oxidation may play a pivotal role in the onset of atherosclerosis. Therefore, in the present paper hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin, an other structurally unrelated constituent in St John's wort were tested in their ability to inhibit LDL oxidation. LDL was isolated by ultracentrifugation and oxidation was initiated either by transition metal ions (copper), tyrosyl radical (myeloperoxidase/hydrogen peroxide/tyrosine) or by endothelial cells (HUVEC). LDL modification was monitored by conjugated diene and malondialdehyde formation. The data show that all compounds (hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin) at doses as low as 2.5 micromol/l are potent antioxidants in the LDL oxidation systems used. The results indicate that the derivatives found in Hypericum perforatum have possible antiatherogenic potential.
authors: Department of Medical Chemistry, Centre of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors: Hilde
authors: H
authors: Laggner
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Schreier
authors: Marcela
authors: M
authors: Hermann
authors: Markus
authors: M
authors: Exner
authors: Adolf
authors: A
authors: Mühl
authors: Bernhard M K
authors: BM
authors: Gmeiner
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Kapiotis
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020902:Hypericum / Q000737:chemistry*; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D015394:Molecular Structure; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000494:pharmacology; D010569:Perylene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D010696:Phloroglucinol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011485:Protein Binding; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D013925:Thromboplastin / Q000032:analysis; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001643:Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D013729:Terpenes; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D014443:Tyrosine; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin; D013925:Thromboplastin; D010696:Phloroglucinol; D009195:Peroxidase; C056602:pseudohypericin; C001654:hyperforin