title: Hypericum perforatum L. treatment restored bone mass changes in swimming stressed rats.
abstract: Stress, via corticosteroids release, influences bone mass density. Hypericum perforatum (Hp) a traditional remedy possess antidepressive activity (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and wound healing properties. Hp preparation contains mainly hypericin, hyperforin, hyperoside and flavonoids exerting oestrogen-mimetic effect. Cold swimming represents an experimental model of stress associating mental strain and corporal exhaustion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates the Hp effect on femur and mandible bone mass changes in rats under cold forced swimming procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  30 male Wistar rats were randomized into three groups. Group A was treated with Methanolic extract of Hp (Jarsin®) via gastroesophageal catheter, and was submitted to cold swimming stress for 10 min/daily. Group B was submitted to cold stress, since group C served as control. Experiment duration was 10 days. Haematocrite and serum free fatty acids (FFA) were estimated. Furthermore volume and specific weight of each bone as well as bone mass density via dual energy X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were measured. Statistic analysis by t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hp treatment restores the stress injuries. Adrenals and bone mass density regain their normal values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injuries occurring by forced swimming stress in the rats are significantly improved by Hp treatment. Estrogen-like effects of Hp flavonoids eventually may act favorable in bone remodeling.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seferos
authors.forename: Loukas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Petrokokkinos
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotsiou
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rallis
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Goudi 11527, Greece. ctesser@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tesseromatis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005269:Femur / Q000502:physiology; D020902:Hypericum; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000502:physiology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011897:Random Allocation; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013550:Swimming / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts