Hypericum Perforatum Research Articles

Hyperatins A–D, highly oxidized polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols from Hypericum perforatum L. with hypoglycemic potential in liver cells

Hyperatins A–D (1–4), four previously undescribed polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols, were isolated from Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort). Compound 1 possessed a unique octahydroindeno[1,7a-b]oxirene ring system with a rare 2,7-dioxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane fragment. Compounds 2–4 had an uncommon decahydrospiro[furan-3,7′-indeno[7,1-bc]furan] ring system. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analyses and X-ray crystallography. Plausible biosynthetic pathways of 1–4 were also proposed. Compounds 1 and 2 exerted promising hypoglycemic activity by inhibiting glycogen synthase kinase 3 expression in liver cells.

Safety Issues of Herb-Warfarin Interactions.

Warfarin is a popular anticoagulant with high global demand. However, studies have underlined serious safety issues when warfarin is consumed concomitantly with herbs or its formulations. This review aimed to highlight the mechanisms behind herb-warfarin interactions while laying special emphasis on its PKPD interactions and evidence on Herb-Warfarin Interaction (HWI) with regards to three different scenarios, such as when warfarin is consumed with herbs taken as foods or prescribed as medicine, or when used in special situations. A targeted literature methodology involving different scientific databases was adopted for acquiring information on the subject of HWIs. Results of the present study revealed some of the fatal consequences of HWI, including post-operative bleeding, thrombosis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural hematomas occurring as a result of interactions between warfarin and herbs or commonly associated food products from Hypericum perforatum, Zingiber officinale, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Citrus paradisi, and Punica granatum. In terms of PK-PD parameters, herbs, such as Coptis chinensis Franch. and Phellodendron amurense Rupr., were found to compete with warfarin for binding with plasma proteins, leading to an increase in free warfarin levels in the bloodstream, resulting in its augmented antithrombic effect. Besides, HWIs were also found to decrease International Normalised Ratio (INR) levels following the consumption of Persea americana or avocado. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an up-to-date interaction database to educate patients and healthcare providers on these interactions, besides promoting the adoption of novel technologies, such as natural language processing, by healthcare professionals to guide them in making informed decisions to avoid HWIs.

Comparative analysis of essential oil oleogels containing beeswax and sunflower wax with petrolatum gels

AbstractIn this study, three different oil (black seed, St. John's Wort, and grape seed oils [GSO]) oleogels, which are especially used in complementary medicine, were produced with natural waxes (sunflower and beeswax [BW]). The physicochemical, textural, thermal, and structural features and volatile composition of the oleogels were determined and compared with commercial petrolatum gels (control sample). The sunflower and BW gels had a higher melting point than the petrolatum gels. Particularly, the firmness values of the fresh sunflower and BW oleogels were close to the petrolatum gels, except for the BW‐based St John's Wort and GSO gels. The firmness and stickiness values of the oleogels and the control samples increased in relation to the storage period. The increase in firmness value was less in the sunflower wax than in the BW and control samples. All sunflower, BW and petrolatum gels exhibited the β′ form. Volatile component data showed that different waxes have different volatile adsorption capacities. As a result, natural wax oleogels produced with various essential oils could be an alternative to similar products used in the cosmetics, pharmacology, and food supplement industries, which are already commercially available.Practical applications: (Oleogels have become a popular technique for structuring oils in recent years. In this way, oleogels are considered an alternative to solid fat such as margarine, butter, and shortening and an oil‐restricting agent against oil leakage in oil‐based foods. Consumers establish a close relationship between their own health and the foods they consume and the cosmetics they use. This situation has led to an increasing interest in natural products. Essential oils (EOs) are used in many fields, ranging from cosmetics to complementary medicine. In this context, essential oleogels produced with natural waxes were compared with the commercial products, revealing their potential for use in both cosmetic and food supplements. EO‐oleogels represent a new approach to the oleogel product range with high commercialization potential for related industries.)

Hyperforin ameliorates neuroinflammation and white matter lesions by regulating microglial VEGFR2 /SRC pathway in vascular cognitive impairment mice.

To explore the neuroprotective potential of hyperforin and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms involved in its therapeutic effects against vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The active compounds and possible targets of Hypericum perforatum L. that may be effective against VCI were found by network pharmacology in this research. We utilized bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) surgery to induce a VCI mouse model. Morris water maze (MWM) and Y-maze tests were used to assess VCI mice's cognitive abilities following treatment with hyperforin. To evaluate white matter lesions (WMLs), we utilized Luxol fast blue (LFB) stain and immunofluorescence (IF). Neuroinflammation was assessed using IF, western blot (WB), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of hyperforin on microglia were investigated by subjecting the BV2 microglial cell line to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) stimulation. The expressions of VEGFR2 , p-SRC, SRC, VEGFA, and inflammatory markers including IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 were subsequently assessed. The VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathway is essential for mediating the protective properties of hyperforin against VCI according to network pharmacology analysis. Invivo findings demonstrated that hyperforin effectively improved BCCAO-induced cognitive impairment. Furthermore, staining results showed that hyperforin attenuated WMLs and reduced microglial activation in VCI mice. The hyperforin treatment group's ELISA results revealed a substantial decrease in IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. According to the results of invitro experiments, hyperforin decreased the release of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and blocked microglial M1-polarization by modulating the VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathway. Hyperforin effectively modulated microglial M1 polarization and neuroinflammation by inhibiting the VEGFR2 /SRC signaling pathways, thereby ameliorating WMLs and cognitive impairment in VCI mice.

Herbal treatments used by patients before surgery: A literature review example

Aim: Herbs, which hold significant historical significance in medicine and have been utilized for centuries to manage and prevent illnesses, interact with medications. This interaction extends to anesthetics and drugs administered during surgical procedures. Identifying these herbal remedies and discontinuing their use at appropriate intervals is crucial. This study aimed to identify publications examining the utilization of herbal medicine by presurgical patients through the PubMed database.Method: Literature published between 2000 and 2023 was scrutinized using the keywords "herbal medicine, presurgical patients" in the PubMed database for this study.Results: Among the studies, 56.2% constituted research articles and were thus included in the study. Those conducted within the last decade accounted for 22.2% of our sample. The majority of the studies were conducted in the United States (44.4%). The most frequently used herbs among the publications included in the sample were Echinacea (Echinacea) (n=5), Ginseng (Panax), Ginkgo biloba (n=3), Perforate St John's-wort (n=3), and Garlic (Allium sativum) (n=3).Conclusions: Insights into preoperative herbal use are pivotal. It is well-established that herbs interact with anesthetic medications. The findings of this review indicate a paucity of literature on this subject globally. Therefore, there is a demand for more rigorous, experimental studies to raise awareness among healthcare professionals.

Exploring the Antifungal Activity of Various Natural Extracts in a Sustainable Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model Using Cell Viability, Spot Assay, and Turbidometric Microbial Assays

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a sustainable yeast with many applications in the food industry. Here, we study the use of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model composed of three different industrial strains (a wine, a beer and a baker’s strain) to assess the antifungal activity of three organic plant-based extracts (Hypericum perforatum 10% w/w, Pistacia lentiscus var. Chia 20% w/w and Rosmarinus officinalis 6% w/w). Three different methods were employed (agar disc diffusion, spot assay, and growth curve analysis). Only the Rosmarinus officinalis extract (6% w/w) exhibited inhibitory activity against all the tested yeast strains in the agar disc diffusion method. In the spot assay, all extracts and their carrier oils (sunflower oil and caprylic triglyceride) exerted similar mild antifungal activity. In the growth curve analysis, all extracts significantly lowered the growth rate of the yeasts, but this was not observed for the carrier oils. The results highlighted that it is important to consider more than one method for testing the antimicrobial activity of different compounds. The three yeast strains exhibited differences in their susceptibility to pharmaceutical antifungals, and the beer and baker’s yeasts were resistant to itraconazole. Moreover, polyphenols were detected in all natural extracts which may be linked to their antifungal activity. Our results suggest that we might consider multiple use of these natural extracts in the food industry as food additives or even preservatives to delay food spoilage.

PSORIATICUM: Topical Hypericum Perforatum for Moderate Plaque Psoriasis: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Psoriasis is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disorder in which an increased amount of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) leads to the formation of psoriatic plaques. Hypericum perforatum (HP) is a flowering plant used as an herbal medication due to its antimicrobial, wound-healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. Pilot studies have reported its ability to decrease the levels of TNF-α and severity of psoriatic plaques in moderate forms of psoriasis with fewer side effects and lower costs compared to standard treatment. More extensive studies are needed to confirm this. Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of topical HP in decreasing the mean total PASI score at the end of 12 weeks in patients with moderate plaque psoriasis. Methods: PSORIATICUM is a phase II, single-center, two-arm parallel, double-blinded randomized clinical trial that has the purpose of evaluating the efficacy of HP versus a control vehicle based on the decrease of the PASI score. The primary outcome is the total PASI score in the treatment group, compared to the control group at the end of the 12 weeks of testing. Normality will be evaluated using Kolmogorv-Smirnov, having the statistical significance of the findings tested using a two-tail Student’s T test for independent means or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. The secondary outcomes include the mean PASI change at weeks 4 and 8. Discussion: PSORIATICUM will provide information about the usefulness of Hypericum perforatum to treat psoriasis, allowing for future trials to study a safe and accessible alternative treatment for the condition.

Humoral immune response of Galleria mellonella after mono- and co-injection with Hypericum perforatum extract and Candida albicans.

Galleria mellonella is used as a model organism to study the innate immune response of insects. In this study, the humoral immune response was assessed by examining phenoloxidase activity, fungal burden, and the expression of phenoloxidase and antimicrobial peptide genes at different time point following separate and combined injections of Hypericum perforatum extract and a nonlethal dose of Candida albicans. The administration of a plant extract at low doses increased phenoloxidase activity, while higher doses had no effect. Similarly, co-injection of a low dose of the extract with the pathogen allowed half of the yeast cells to survive after 24 h. Co-injection of plant extract with the pathogen decreased the phenoloxidase activity at the end of 4 h compared to C. albicans mono-injection. The phenoloxidase gene expressions was reduced in all experimental conditions with respect to the control. When plant extracts and the pathogen were administered together, gallerimycin and hemolin gene expressions were considerably higher compared to mono-injections of plant extracts and the pathogen. The results of this study reveal that gene activation and regulatory mechanisms may change for each immune gene, and that recognition and signaling pathways may differ depending on the involved immunoregulator.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Tryptophan, B Vitamins, SAME, and Hypericum in the Adjunctive Treatment of Depression

The adjunctive treatment of melancholy has garnered good attention as researchers and healthcare providers seek opportunities and complementary tactics to improve outcomes for people suffering from depressive disorders. This abstract explores the therapeutic benefits of mixing omega-3 fatty acids, tryptophan, B vitamins, S-adenosyl methionine (same), and Hypericum (St. John's Wort) as adjunctive treatments for melancholy. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish and certain plant sources, have shown promise in alleviating depressive signs and symptoms. Their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective homes may also contribute to advanced temper and ordinary well-being. Tryptophan, an important amino acid, performs a vital role in serotonin synthesis, a neurotransmitter associated with temper regulation. Supplementing tryptophan may additionally enhance serotonin production and alleviate the signs and symptoms of melancholy. B vitamins, specifically B6, B9 (folate), and B12, are vital for correct mind function and neurotransmitter synthesis. Deficiencies in these nutrients are connected to mood disturbances. Adjunctive B diet supplementation can doubtlessly assist traditional despair treatments by addressing dietary deficiencies. S-adenosyl methionine (same) is an occurring compound concerned with diverse biochemical procedures, which include the synthesis of neurotransmitters. Equal supplementation has confirmed efficacy in enhancing temper and may be taken into consideration as an adjunctive treatment choice for melancholy

Effectiveness of Shugan Jieyu capsules for psychiatric symptoms of epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe relationship between epilepsy and depression is bidirectional. One condition exacerbates the other. However, there are no current guidelines for treating depression in epilepsy patients. In some cases, seizures worsen when antidepressants (AD) are prescribed or when they are discontinued due to adverse events. The Shugan Jieyu capsule, composed of Acanthopanax senticosus and Hypericum perforatum, is a widely used herbal medicine for treating depression. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness and safety of Shugan Jieyu capsules (SJC) in relieving depression in patients with epilepsy.MethodsWe searched English, Korean, Japanese, and Chinese databases in October 2023 to collect all relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs). The primary outcomes were the depression scale scores and seizure frequency. The secondary outcomes were quality of life (QoL) and adverse events.ResultsNine RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with AD, SJC showed significant differences in the improvement of depression (SMD: 3.82, 95% CI: 3.25, 4.39) and reduction in seizure frequency (MD: 0.39 times/month, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.50). SJC showed more beneficial results than antiepileptic drugs (AED) in terms of antidepressant effects (SMD: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.51) and QoL (MD: 11.75, 95% CI: 10.55, 12.95). When patients were prescribed AED, the additional administration of SJC improved depression symptoms (SMD: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.63). The SJC treatment group had a lower incidence of side effects than the control group. However, the difference was not statistically significant.ConclusionsOur results suggest that SJC may be effective in treating depression in patients with epilepsy. Additionally, SJC has the potential to help reduce seizure frequency in epilepsy patients with depression.

Innovative Multilayer Electrospun Patches for the Slow Release of Natural Oily Extracts as Dressings to Boost Wound Healing.

Electrospinning is an advanced manufacturing strategy used to create innovative medical devices from continuous nanoscale fibers that is endowed with tunable biological, chemical, and physical properties. Innovative medical patches manufactured entirely by electrospinning are discussed in this paper, using a specific plant-derived formulation "1 Primary Wound Dressing©" (1-PWD) as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). 1-PWD is composed of neem oil (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and the oily extracts of Hypericum perforatum (L.) flowers, according to the formulation patented by the ENEA of proven therapeutic efficacy as wound dressings. The goal of this work is to encapsulate this API and demonstrate that its slow release from an engineered electrospun patch can increase the therapeutic efficacy for wound healing. The prototyped patch is a three-layer core-shell membrane, with a core made of fibers from a 1-PWD-PEO blend, enveloped within two external layers made of medical-grade polycaprolactone (PCL), ensuring mechanical strength and integrity during manipulation. The system was characterized via electron microscopy (SEM) and chemical and contact angle tests. The encapsulation, release, and efficacy of the API were confirmed by FTIR and LC-HRMS and were validated via in vitro toxicology and scratch assays.

Apolar Extracts of St. John's Wort Alleviate the Effects of β-Amyloid Toxicity in Early Alzheimer's Disease.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) has been described to be beneficial for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Different extractions have demonstrated efficiency in mice and humans, esp. extracts with a low hypericin and hyperforin content to reduce side effects such as phototoxicity. In order to systematically elucidate the therapeutic effects of H. perforatum extracts with different polarities, APP-transgenic mice were treated with a total ethanol extract (TE), a polar extract obtained from TE, and an apolar supercritical CO2 (scCO2) extract. The scCO2 extract was formulated with silicon dioxide (SiO2) for better oral application. APP-transgenic mice were treated with several extracts (total, polar, apolar) at different concentrations. We established an early treatment paradigm from the age of 40 days until the age of 80 days, starting before the onset of cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition at 45 days of age. Their effects on intracerebral soluble and insoluble Aβ were analyzed using biochemical analyses. Our study confirms that the scCO2H. perforatum formulation shows better biological activity against Aβ-related pathological effects than the TE or polar extracts. Clinically, the treatment resulted in a dose-dependent improvement in food intake with augmentation of the body weight, and, biochemically, it resulted in a significant reduction in both soluble and insoluble Aβ (-27% and -25%, respectively). We therefore recommend apolar H. perforatum extracts for the early oral treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment or early AD.

Exploring plant-derived small molecules as inhibitors of Marburg virus RNA binding protein activity

The search for antiviral medications is greatly influenced by the hunt for potent inhibitors of viral proteins. To find possible inhibitors of the RNA binding activity of the Marburg virus VP35 protein, we used a thorough in silico drug discovery approach in this investigation. A comprehensive virtual screening process, followed by a detailed MMGBSA analysis, led to the discovery of four potential inhibitory compounds viz. Kudzuisoflavone A, Miquelianin, Rutin, and Protopseudohypericin. They were identified from an extensive library of phytomolecules derived from three medicinal plants: Adiantum capillus-veneris, Hypericum perforatum, and Pueraria montana. In molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, all these compounds showed steady binding to the target protein and favourable interactions. Notably, the free binding energies of all the selected compounds were better than the myricetin, a well-known blocker of the VP35 protein of the Ebola virus. Overall, this investigation offers insightful information about the molecular interactions and binding dynamics of the identified inhibitors’ binding to the VP35 protein of the Marburg virus. The findings highlight the potential of three particular medicinal plants as sources of key chemicals for the creation of brand-new Marburg virus antiviral drugs. More experimental validation and optimization of the identified inhibitors are necessary in order to transform these findings into effective medicines for treating Marburg virus infections. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Synthesis, characterization, and antibacterial effect of St. John's wort oil loaded chitosan hydrogel

Hydrogels prepared with natural and synthetic polymers were found to be applicable for the development of resistance against some Gram positive and negative bacterial species. Numerous studies have shown that chitosan polymers can be advantageous to be used in medicine due to their high antibacterial activity. In this study, biocompatible yellow cantorone oil doped hydrogels (chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) based) with antimicrobial properties were synthesized. The structural, morphological, swelling and mechanical properties of these biocompatible hydrogels prepared by double crosslinking were investigated and characterized. FTIR spectroscopy showed the appearance of new imine and acetal bonds due to both covalent cross-linking. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation revealed that hydrogels showed weak cytotoxic effect. In the antimicrobial evaluation, it was determined that the hydrogel containing only chitosan showed better antimicrobial effect against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas auriginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis bacteria than the one containing St. John's Wort oil. The antibacterial effect of polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hydrogel was low. In our wound healing study, chitosan hydrogel loaded with yellow St. John's Wort oil was more effective in reducing wound size.

Warfarin – what do we forget about it

Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug that is a delayed-acting vitamin K antagonist. It has numerous interactions with food products (e.g. spinach, kale, green lettuce, cauliflower, avocado, pistachios, onion, garlic, cranberry and grapefruit juice), dietary supplements (St. John's wort, ginseng, sage, chamomile) and others medications. Therefore, patients should be educated about the interactions that may occur after taking the drug, as well as what products and their amounts they can consume so that they do not affect the metabolism of warfarin.

Production of Phenylpropanoids, Naphthodianthrones and Antioxidant Status of Hypericum perforatum L. Transgenic Shoots

Fifteen transgenic shoot clones (TS A-TS O) regenerated from Hypericum perforatum hairy roots were evaluated for growth characteristics, phenylpropanoid, and naphthodianthrone production, as well as non-enzymatic and enzymatic antioxidant status. Transgenic shoots displayed higher biomass production and non-altered phenotypes compared to control shoots. Phenylpropanoid production in TS was not related to phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity indicating that alternative enzymes could be involved in the regulation of phenylpropanoid/flavonoid biosynthesis. The positive correlation between phenylpropanoids (phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavan-3-ols, tannins) and non-enzymatic antioxidant assays suggested that these compounds are the main contributors to the redox state and radical scavenging properties of TS clones. More importantly, enhanced naphthodianthrone production (hypericin, pseudohypericin and protopseudohypericin) in TS was associated with the number of leaf dark glands. Concerning the enzymatic antioxidant status of TS, guaiacol peroxidase was shown as the main enzyme that turns down H2O2 levels, while the upregulation of superoxide dismutase coincided with decreased O2•− production. The efficiency of antioxidant enzymes for O2•− and H2O2 neutralization decreased the level of MDA and consequently delayed lipid peroxidation in TS clones. Altogether, H. perforatum transgenic shoots could be proposed as a prospective biotechnological system for scale-up production of naphthodianthrones and phenylpropanoids with antioxidant properties.

Single molecule real-time sequencing data sets of Hypericum perforatum L. plantlets and cell suspension cultures

Hypericum is a large genus that includes more than 500 species of pharmacological, ecological and conservation value. Although latest advances in sequencing technologies were extremely exploited for generating and assembling genomes of many living organisms, annotated whole genome sequence data is not publicly available for any of the Hypericum species so far. Bioavailability of secondary metabolites varies for different tissues and the data derived from different cultures will be a valuable tool for comparative studies. Here, we report the single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT) data sets of Hypericum perforatum L. plantlets and cell suspension cultures for the first time. Sequencing data from cell suspension cultures yielded more than 33,000 high-quality transcripts from 20 Gb of raw data, while more than 55,000 high-quality transcripts were obtained from 35 Gb of raw data from plantlets. This dataset is a valuable tool for comparative transcriptomic analysis and will help to understand the unknown biosynthetic pathways of high medicinal value in the Hypericum genus.

Hypericum perforatum: a comprehensive review on pharmacognosy, preclinical studies, putative molecular mechanism, and clinical studies in neurodegenerative diseases.

The herb Hypericum perforatum, also referred to as St. John's wort, has drawn a lot of interest because of its potential therapeutic benefits in treating neurodegenerative illnesses. Due to the absence of effective therapies, illnesses like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease pose an increasing worldwide health concern. Because of its wide variety of phytochemicals, especially hyperforin, and hypericin, Hypericum perforatum is well known for its neuroprotective properties. These substances have proven to be able to affect different cellular processes linked to neurodegeneration. They can act as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neurotransmitter system regulators, which may help halt neurodegenerative illnesses' progression. The use of Hypericum perforatum extracts and its contents has shown encouraging results in research on animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. These advantages include higher nerve cell survival, lowered oxidative stress, and higher cognitive performance. Underscoring its versatile potential to combat neurodegeneration, Hypericum perforatum has neuroprotective mechanisms that modulate neuroinflammation and prevent apoptotic pathways. In conclusion, Hypericum perforatum shows tremendous promise as a potential treatment for neurological illnesses due to its wide variety of phytochemicals. To completely comprehend its specific mechanisms of action and turn these discoveries into efficient clinical therapies, additional research is needed. Investigating Hypericum perforatum's function in neurodegenerative disorders may present new opportunities for the advancement of ground-breaking therapeutic strategies.

Tailoring the Structural and Optical Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Prepared by an Ecofriendly Green Route Using Plant Extracts.

The present study explores an environmentally friendly green approach to obtain cerium oxide nanoparticles via a biomediated route using Mellisa officinalis and Hypericum perforatum plant extracts as reducing agents. The as-prepared nanoparticles were studied for their structural and morphological characteristics using XRD diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, Raman, fluorescence and electronic absorption spectra, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XRD pattern has shown the centered fluorite crystal structure of cerium oxide nanoparticles with average crystallite size below 10 nm. These observations were in agreement with the STEM data. The cubic fluorite structure of the cerium oxide nanoparticles was confirmed by the vibrational mode around 462 cm-1 due to the Ce-08 unit. The optical band gap was estimated from UV-Vis reflectance spectra, which was found to decrease from 3.24 eV to 2.98 eV. A higher specific area was determined for the sample using M. officinalis aqueous extract. The EDX data indicated that only cerium and oxygen are present in the green synthesized nanoparticles.

The Effect of St. John's Wort Oil (Hypericum Perforatum L.) in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled and Qualitative Study

BackgroundReducing pain and improving physical function are critical in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Although individuals use St. John's Wort oil to relieve pain due to osteoarthritis, no scientific research has been found investigating its effectiveness. AimThis study investigated the effect of St. John's Wort oil on pain intensity and physical functions in people with knee osteoarthritis. MethodsThis study adopted a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, and qualitative mixed design. The sample consisted of 60 patients randomized into intervention (n = 30) and placebo control (n=30) groups. The experimental group participants were treated with topically St. John's Wort oil three times a week for 3 weeks, and the placebo control group participants were treated with olive oil three times a week for 3 weeks. Quantitative data were collected using a patient identification form, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and the Visual Analogue Scale. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. ResultsThe experimental group had a significantly lower mean Visual Analog Scale score in the first, third, and fourth follow-ups than the control group. The experimental group had significantly lower mean WOMAC-pain, WOMAC-stiffness, and WOMAC-physical function subscale scores in the last follow-up than in the first follow-up. The qualitative data agreed with the quantitative data. ConclusionsThe results show that St. John's Wort oil helps people with knee osteoarthritis feel less pain and become physically more active. Additional research is warranted to better understand the effect of St. John's Wort oil on pain intensity and physical functions in people with knee osteoarthritis.