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HYPERICIN and PSEUDOHYPERICIN

Hypericin is a polycyclic quinone - with four hydroxyl groups that are very near to two carbonyl groups. Due to this arrangement  the molecule is a likely candidate for proton or hydrogen atom transfer - making it enter an "excited state". Hypericin can "kill" retro viruses when light is shined on it. Hypericin ejects a proton when it is excited. This results in an acidifying of its surroundings, this may play a role in its antiviral activity.

"Hypericin, a photochemical extracted from St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and related species, has been shown to have potent, broad spectrum antimicrobial activity. This compound is an aromatic polycyclic anthrone, a class of colored or pigmented chemical substances which have photosensitizing activity. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, low, non-toxic doses of hypericin significantly inhibited the replication of several viruses.
Hypericin and its chemical relative, pseudohypericin, produce antiviral activity through a different mechanism of action than do AZT and other nucleoside antiviral agents.

Traditionally, extracts of St. John's Wort (which contain hypericin) have been used as an antidepressant, possibly by acting as an MAO inhibitor. The psychotropic effects attributed to hypericin in St. John's Wort extract suggest that the pigment compound can cross the blood brain barrier (possibly treating neuropsychological symptoms such as dementia). Laboratory investigations indicate that hypericin may be beneficial as an HIV therapy. However, its administration should be carefully monitored by a physician.
THE LEVELS OF HYPERICIN FOUND IN MOST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE EXTRACTS OF ST. JOHN'S WORT GENERALLY ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO BE THERAPEUTICALLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST VIRAL INFECTIONS."

Botanicals International product specification - St. John's Wort Herb with Flowers Powdered Extract.

Hypericum spp. - active chemical - hypericin (anteretroviral)

Hypericin is an MAO inhibitor. Hypericin may also have ability to treat depression providing patient has regular exposure to natural sunlight. Hypericin appears to have ability to react with and inhibit viral proteins.

Xanthones inhibit MAO type A and possibly type B - definite effect in treating depression, value of treatment evident after 4 - 6 weeks duration.

"Hypericin and, its close chemical relative, pseudohypericin are the active ingreadients found in St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). The German name "Johanniskraut" is derived from its blossom time around St. John's Day, the 24th of June.

St. John's Wort is typically sold in capsules containing 300 mg standardized extract of 0.3% hypericins.
In 1991, Ultra Technologies produced the first domestic, high potency extract of hypericin which contains the 900 mcg per capsule that has been shown to benefit in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. LifeLink, now offers the same high quality hypericin extract to the health supplement market for use as both an anti-viral and anti-depressant agent."

What does this all mean?

St. John's Wort contains a number of chemicals. The literature from the web suggests that the major active principle is hypericin and perhaps pseudohypericin. Hypericin is an antidepressant that apparently works by inhibiting MonoAmineOxidases, i.e., an MAO inhibitor. At higher concentrations, hypericin seems to kill a variety of viruses.

To my  graduate students in ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY/PATHOLOGY your mission is to find abstracts/ papers showing that hypericin or pseudohypericin are indeed MAO Inhibitors.  You should find data on dosages, animals or humans used, link to papers or copy them for distribution. Focus only on MAO inhibitor action.

A hint to literature about hypericin as MAO inhibitor - contains references to Suzuki, O publishing in Planta Medica 1980, 39:19-23; 1981, 42:17-21. These articles should be checked for dosages, techniques, etc.

Recommended Dosage -

This information comes from www.teleport.com/~dburch/june.html. Click on arrow to get full report.

To get mg of hypericin, multiply the dose of St.  John's Wort in mg times the % of hypericin ( (300 mg times 0.3%(0.003)=0.9 mg.

For mild symptoms or if side effects are experienced stay with hypericin dose of 0.5 - 1.0 mg daily.
For severe symptoms try high dose hypericin, 1.5 - 2.7 mg daily.
The daily dose should be divided by 2 or 3 to get the amount to take at one time.
Dosage frequency is usually three times a day. One dose on arising, one dose 3 hours later, and a third dose 3 hours after that  or  two doses at breakfast and one at lunch.
If the St. John's Wort is being taken to help with sleep problems, the last dose may be taken at dinner or bedtime.

Children 6-12 use 1/2 to 2/3 of an adult dose.
Children under 6 use 1/4 to 1/3 of an adult dose.
Adolescents should take the adult dose

Take with food to minimize possible gastrointestinal upset.
Dose for Liquid Extract -1:1 made with fresh plant containing 0.15% hypericin-45 drops-0.5 mg hypericin.

Duration of treatment - Long term. May take 4-8 weeks to get optimal effects. Assess the response after 6 weeks and adjust dosage at that time. If no response after  6 weeks, consult a physician for prescription of anti-depressants.

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