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DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1736991
From inflammation to depression. How can St. John’s wort help?
OK and CK are employees, NM is pharmacy intern at Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany, KN has been receiving grants and travel support from of Steigerwald Arzneimittelwerk GmbH.Introduction That inflammatory processes can be involved in the etiology of psychic depression is now widely accepted [1] [2]. An IFN-α-induced raise of TNF-α and IL-6 can cause depressive symptoms, and even the microinflammation in long COVID syndrome is often connected to depressive symptoms [3].
Therefore it seems relevant to re-assess, whether data confirm the relevance of anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action in herbal treatment options in depressive episodes, with focus on St. John’s wort [4].
Methods A broad and systematic literature review was conducted [Medline, EMBASE] and evidence was assessed.
Results As well for St. John’s wort extracts as for a number of its constituents, especially flavonols and hyperforin, in vitro and in vivo data show numerous anti-inflammatory mechanisms of action. Recent examples are data on the phagocytic and migratory activity of microglia cells [5] or on pituitary-derived AtT-20 cells in vitro [4].
Conclusions Overall, also most recent data show potential mechanisms of action of St. John’s wort extracts, which could be one of the key mechanisms of actions [4] of St. John’s wort in psychic depression, especially with inflammatory etiology.
Publication History
Article published online:
13 December 2021
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References
- 1 Moisan MP. et al. 2021; Transl Psychiatry 11: 203
- 2 Grundmann O. et al. 2010; Neuropharmacology 58: 767
- 3 Perlis RH. et al. 2021; medRxiv preprint DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.26.21254425.
- 4 Dillenburger B. et al. 2020; Nervenheilk 39: 565-571
- 5 Bonaterra G. et al. 2020; Frontiers in Pharmacol 11 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.603575.