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Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36(6): 283-287
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45114
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hypericum perforatum Subspecies Angustifolium shows a Protective Activity on the Consequences of Unavoidable Stress Exposure at Lower Doses than Hypericum perforatum Perforatum

M. Usai1 , B. Leggio2 , S. Grappi2 , G. Nanni2 , C. Gambarana2 , P. Tolu2 , D. Giachetti3 , M. G. De Montis1, 2
  • 1Department of Scienze del Farmaco, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
  • 2Department of Neuroscience, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
  • 3Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 26.6.2002 Revised: 11.9.2002

Accepted: 14.11.2002

Publication Date:
09 December 2003 (online)

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Clinical studies have demonstrated that the antidepressant efficacy of Hypericum perforatum extract is comparable to that of classic antidepressants, such as imipramine. The role played by its components, particularly hypericin and hyperforin, has been examined in different experimental models of depression. The present study was carried out in order to verify the hypothesis that hyperforin is the main active antidepressant component. For this purpose we evaluated the activity of a dry extract from a subspecies of H. perforatum, H. perforatum spp. angustifolium, which has a higher hyperforin content than H. perforatum perforatum, in a series of experimental models of depression. The models used are based on the development of hyporeactivity to aversive stimuli induced by unavoidable stress exposure in rats. The extract of H. perforatum angustifolium presented an efficacy that was similar to that obtained with a treatment with imipramine or H. perforatum perforatum. Furthermore, in the models used the H. perforatum angustifolium extract was active at doses eight times lower than those necessary to produce a comparable activity with H. perforatum extract.

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Dr. M. G. De Montis

Department of Neuroscience

University of Siena

via A. Moro 4

53100 Siena

Italy

Email: demontis@unisi.it

Phone: 390577234069

Fax: 390577234208

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