Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Activity of Plants of the Hypericum L. Genus

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to present the results of summarizing the literature data on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of the Hypericum L. genus. The chemical composition of St. John’s wort (Hyperici herba) has been studied quite fully within the Eurasian area of the species; more than 80 components have been identified. The main biologically active compounds of raw materials are anthracene derivatives (hypericin), flavonoids (rutin, quercetin, hyperozoid), phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid) and hyperforin. The review article presents physical constants and spectroscopic ((-NMR) proton magnetic resonance, (13C NMR) 13C nuclear magnetic resonance, (-UV) ultraviolet, (-IR) infrared) interpretations of biologically active substances obtained from secondary metabolites from species belonging to genus. The results of pharmacognostic and pharmacological studies determine the feasibility of clinical trials of St. John’s wort raw materials drugs and their use in a wide therapeutic range in the complex treatment of diseases. Herba St. John’s wort is a promising source of raw materials for obtaining antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, astringent, diuretic, antidepressant, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, immunotropic and adaptogenic agents.