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Gioacchino Calapai - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Preclinical Data Supporting/Refuting the Use of Hypericum perforatum in the Treatment of Depression
    CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets, 2013
    Co-Authors: Rosalia Crupi, Edoardo Spina, Yousef Abdel Kareem Abusamra, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Extracts of Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) have gained popularity as an alternative to synthetic antidepressants or behavioural therapy in the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depressive disorders. The present article reviews and discusses the available preclinical data that are in favour of or against the use of Hypericum perforatum as an antidepressant. Multiple chemical entities constitute extracts from Hypericum perforatum. The effects of Hypericum perforatum extracts have been compared with those of conventional antidepressants in different in vitro and in vivo biochemical studies of antidepressant-like activity and in behavioural pharmacology studies using animal models of depression. Recent investigations have indicated that Hypericum perforatum, like conventional antidepressants, is involved in the regulation of genes that control hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function and influence, at least in part, stress-induced effects on neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. From the available evidence it can be concluded that data supporting the use of Hypericum perforatum for the treatment of depression are present in literature. However, results from experiments carried out with extracts or pure compounds do not always resemble biochemical and pharmacological profile characteristic of synthetic antidepressants. In particular, the majority of findings in preclinical studies have been obtained with high doses of pure compounds and extracts that are not comparable to the concentrations of single active constituents after oral administration in humans.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Rationale Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. Objective We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Methods Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. Results The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. Conclusions These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice.
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.

Nigel Simpson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) for the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome
    CNS Drugs, 2010
    Co-Authors: Sarah Canning, Mitch Waterman, Nic Orsi, Julie Ayres, Nigel Simpson
    Abstract:

    Background : Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common condition. Some of the most widely prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), based on the hypothesized role of serotonin in the production of PMS symptoms. PMS sufferers, especially those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, are often reluctant to take this form of medication and instead buy over-the-counter preparations to treat their symptoms, for which the evidence base with regard to efficacy is limited. Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) influences the serotonergic system. As such, this widely available herbal remedy deserves attention as a PMS treatment. Objective : To investigate the effectiveness of Hypericum perforatum on symptoms of PMS. Study design : This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted between November 2005 and June 2007. Setting : Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Participants : 36 women aged 18–45 years with regular menstrual cycles (25–35 days), who were prospectively diagnosed with mild PMS. Intervention : Women who remained eligible after three screening cycles (n = 36) underwent a two-cycle placebo run-in phase. They were then randomly assigned to receive Hypericum perforatum tablets 900 mg/day (standardized to 0.18% hypericin; 3.38% hyperforin) or identical placebo tablets for two menstrual cycles. After a placebo-treated washout cycle, the women crossed over to receive placebo or Hypericum perforatum for two additional cycles. Main outcome measures : Symptoms were rated daily throughout the trial using the Daily Symptom Report. Secondary outcome measures were the State Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Aggression Questionnaire and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Plasma hormone (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone) and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, interferon [IFN]-γ and tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α) levels were measured in the follicular and luteal phases during Hypericum perforatum and placebo treatment. Results : Hypericum perforatum was statistically superior to placebo in improving physical and behavioural symptoms of PMS (p < 0.05). There were no significant effects of Hypericum perforatum compared with placebo treatment for mood- and pain-related PMS symptoms (p > 0.05). Plasma hormone (FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone) and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ and TNFα) levels, and weekly reports of anxiety, depression, aggression and impulsivity, also did not differ significantly during the Hypericum perforatum and placebo cycles (p > 0.05). Conclusion : Daily treatment with Hypericum perforatum was more effective than placebo treatment for the most common physical and behavioural symptoms associated with PMS. As proinflammatory cytokine levels did not differ significantly between Hypericum perforatum and placebo treatment, these beneficial effects are unlikely to be produced through this mechanism of action alone. Further work is needed to determine whether pain- and mood-related PMS symptoms benefit from longer treatment duration. Trial registration number (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register) ISRCTN31487459

Maria A. Catania - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Rationale Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. Objective We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Methods Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. Results The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. Conclusions These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice.
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.

Sarah Canning - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • The Efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort) for the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome
    CNS Drugs, 2010
    Co-Authors: Sarah Canning, Mitch Waterman, Nic Orsi, Julie Ayres, Nigel Simpson
    Abstract:

    Background : Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common condition. Some of the most widely prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), based on the hypothesized role of serotonin in the production of PMS symptoms. PMS sufferers, especially those experiencing mild to moderate symptoms, are often reluctant to take this form of medication and instead buy over-the-counter preparations to treat their symptoms, for which the evidence base with regard to efficacy is limited. Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) influences the serotonergic system. As such, this widely available herbal remedy deserves attention as a PMS treatment. Objective : To investigate the effectiveness of Hypericum perforatum on symptoms of PMS. Study design : This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted between November 2005 and June 2007. Setting : Institute of Psychological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. Participants : 36 women aged 18–45 years with regular menstrual cycles (25–35 days), who were prospectively diagnosed with mild PMS. Intervention : Women who remained eligible after three screening cycles (n = 36) underwent a two-cycle placebo run-in phase. They were then randomly assigned to receive Hypericum perforatum tablets 900 mg/day (standardized to 0.18% hypericin; 3.38% hyperforin) or identical placebo tablets for two menstrual cycles. After a placebo-treated washout cycle, the women crossed over to receive placebo or Hypericum perforatum for two additional cycles. Main outcome measures : Symptoms were rated daily throughout the trial using the Daily Symptom Report. Secondary outcome measures were the State Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Aggression Questionnaire and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Plasma hormone (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone) and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, interferon [IFN]-γ and tumour necrosis factor [TNF]-α) levels were measured in the follicular and luteal phases during Hypericum perforatum and placebo treatment. Results : Hypericum perforatum was statistically superior to placebo in improving physical and behavioural symptoms of PMS (p < 0.05). There were no significant effects of Hypericum perforatum compared with placebo treatment for mood- and pain-related PMS symptoms (p > 0.05). Plasma hormone (FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and testosterone) and cytokine (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IFNγ and TNFα) levels, and weekly reports of anxiety, depression, aggression and impulsivity, also did not differ significantly during the Hypericum perforatum and placebo cycles (p > 0.05). Conclusion : Daily treatment with Hypericum perforatum was more effective than placebo treatment for the most common physical and behavioural symptoms associated with PMS. As proinflammatory cytokine levels did not differ significantly between Hypericum perforatum and placebo treatment, these beneficial effects are unlikely to be produced through this mechanism of action alone. Further work is needed to determine whether pain- and mood-related PMS symptoms benefit from longer treatment duration. Trial registration number (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number Register) ISRCTN31487459

Achille P. Caputi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Rationale Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. Objective We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Methods Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. Results The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. Conclusions These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.

  • Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice.
    Psychopharmacology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Maria A. Catania, Fabio Firenzuoli, Anna Crupi, Carmen Mannucci, Achille P. Caputi, Gioacchino Calapai
    Abstract:

    Hypericum perforatum is used as a natural antidepressant, and other antidepressants have been marketed to aid in smoking cessation. We investigated the effects of an extract of Hypericum perforatum (Ph-50) on withdrawal signs produced by nicotine abstinence in mice. Nicotine (2 mg/kg, four injections daily) was administered for 14 days to mice. Different doses of Ph-50 (125–500 mg/kg) were administered orally immediately after the last nicotine injection. In another experiment, Ph-50 (500 mg/kg) was orally administered in combination with nicotine, i) starting from day 8 until the end of the nicotine treatment period, or ii) during nicotine treatment and after nicotine withdrawal, or iii) immediately after the last nicotine injection. On withdrawal from nicotine, all animals were evaluated for locomotor activity and abstinence signs. The locomotor activity reduction induced by nicotine withdrawal was abolished by Ph-50, which also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the total nicotine abstinence score when injected after nicotine withdrawal. These data show that treatment with Hypericum perforatum attenuates nicotine withdrawal signs in mice. Further studies are necessary to test the possibility that it may be used for smoking cessation treatment in humans.