New Potential Pharmaceutical Applications of Hypericum Species.

Marrelli Mariangela, et al.
Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry, 2016

Abstract

The genus Hypericum includes more than 450 species distributed in Europe, North America, North Africa and West Asia. These plants are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, bacterial and viral infections, burns and gastric disorders. The use for alleviating inflammation and promoting wound healing is well known for H. Perforatum L. (St. John's wort) and other species. Because of its pharmacological activity, H. perforatum L. is one of the most important species of this genus. This plant has been largely utilized for its efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. However, some other species have been utilized in traditional medicine and have been studied for their phytochemical composition and for their biological activities to date. Hypericum species contain biologically active secondary metabolites belonging to at least ten different classes, with prevalence of naphthodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin), phloroglucinols (hyperforin), flavonoids (rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin, amentoflavone) and phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid). However, great variations in contents have been reported for wild populations worldwide. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of most recent studies about potential pharmaceutical applications of plants belonging to Hypericum genus. The most interesting isolated active principles and both in vitro and in vivo effects of Hypericum extracts are presented and discussed.

Articles similar to "New Potential Pharmaceutical Applications of Hypericum Species."

• The properties of Hypericum Perforatum: Hypericins as Potential Leads for New Therapeutics. (70 years have passed since the first isolation of the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin from Hypericum Perforatum Today, they continue to be one of the most promising group of polyphenols, as they fascinate with their physical, chemical and important biological properties which derive from their unique chemical structure...)
• The properties of Hypericum Perforatum: St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum L.): A Review of Its Chemistry, Pharmacology and Clinical Properties. (The chemical composition of St...)
• The properties of Hypericum Perforatum: St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) Products - An Assessment of Their Authenticity and Quality. ( St John's wort products (Hypericum perforatum L... There is significant compositional variation among commercial finished products and two main causative quality problems were identified as adulteration by incorrect species or adulteration with food dyes. Generally, food supplements and unlicensed products were found to be of poorer quality than the regulated ones including THRs. )

Previous article

Hypericum Perforatum as a Cognitive Enhancer in Rodents: A Meta-Analysis.

Next article

St John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) Products - An Assessment of Their Authenticity and Quality.