Efficacy and tolerability of Hypericum extract for the treatment of mild to moderate depression

Abstract Depression is a common condition in the community with a significant impact on affected individuals, their relatives and society. Many patients with depression do not seek treatment and are often concerned about the possible adverse effects of antidepressant drugs. Extract of Hypericum perf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European neuropsychopharmacology 2010-11, Vol.20 (11), p.747-765
Main Authors: Kasper, Siegfried, Caraci, Filippo, Forti, Bruno, Drago, Filippo, Aguglia, Eugenio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antidepressants
Antidepressive Agents - adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Clinical Trials as Topic - methods
Depression
Depression - drug therapy
Depression - psychology
Depressive Disorder - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Efficacy
Humans
Hypericum
Hypericum perforatum
Internal Medicine
Phytotherapy - adverse effects
Phytotherapy - methods
Plant Extracts - adverse effects
Plant Extracts - therapeutic use
Psychiatry
Review
St. John's wort
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Abstract Depression is a common condition in the community with a significant impact on affected individuals, their relatives and society. Many patients with depression do not seek treatment and are often concerned about the possible adverse effects of antidepressant drugs. Extract of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) has long been recognized as a treatment for depression. Several published trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of Hypericum extract for mild to moderate depression. Recent comparative trials of Hypericum extract and other antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), provide support for Hypericum extract efficacy. However, since the constituents of Hypericum extract differ between the individual manufacturers, the efficacy cannot be extrapolated from one extract to another. In this review, WS 5572, LI 160, WS 5570 and ZE 117 Hypericum extracts have been shown to be significantly more effective than placebo with at least similar efficacy and better tolerability compared to standard antidepressant drugs.
ISSN:0924-977X
1873-7862
DOI:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2010.07.005