Pharmacological properties of St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). The first report

Abstract

Data on the use of the aerial parts of Hypericum for treatment of diseases and syndromes of neurological profile as well as epilepsy was summarized. We investigated the effect of Hypericum perforatum infusion and isolated hyperoside flavonoids, quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, total flavonoids on convulsions caused by corazol, strychnine, thiosemicarbazide and maximal electroshock (MES). We did not establish of anticonvulsant properties of herbal remedies single use compared to a single injection of classical anticonvulsants Seduxenum and depakine, and registered a moderate increase in tolerance to corazol, thiosemicarbazide and MES after Hypericum therapy course. Using generally accepted method of recording the loss of passive avoidance after MES we studied the ability of herbal remedies to prevent amnesia of this reflex. Only course enteral administration of St. John’s wort infusion was effective. Experiments were carried out on SHR male mices. It is concluded that the use of St. John’s wort tincture for treatment of seizures is not based on anticonvulsant, but on cerebroprotective properties manifested in the ability to prevent damage to the base, reflex behaviors of animals to ensure the survival of the individual and the species. These findings are consistent with the results of our experimental study of the pharmacological properties of medicinal plants used in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric diseases which have shown that simple galenic forms have cerebroprotective but not anticonvulsant activity. Both types of activity were not detected in flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, phenolcarboxylic and other organic acids and other natural forms isolated from these plants.