Perforatum Extract Research Articles

Nanoencapsulation and characterisation of Hypericum perforatum for the treatment of neuropathic pain

Aim This work aimed to encapsulate Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) into nanophytosomes (NPs) and assess the therapeutic efficacy of this nanocarrier in neuropathic pain induced by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSNL). Methods Hydroalcoholic extract of Hypericum perforatum was prepared and encapsulated into NPs by thin layer hydration method. Particle size, zeta potential, TEM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), entrapment efficiency (%EE), and loading capacity (LC) of NPs were reported. The biochemical and histopathological examinations were measured in the sciatic nerve. Results Particle size, zeta potential, %EE, and LC were 104.7 ± 1.529 nm, −8.93 ± 1.71 mV, 87.23 ± 1.3%, and 53.12 ± 1.7%, respectively. TEM revealed well-formed and distinct vesicles. NPHPE (NPs of HPE) was significantly more effective than HPE in reducing PSNL-inducing pain. Antioxidant levels and sciatic nerve histology were reversed to normal with NPHPE. Conclusions This study demonstrates that encapsulating HPE with phytosomes is an effective therapeutic approach for neuropathic pain.

Chitosan Membranes Containing Plant Extracts: Preparation, Characterization and Antimicrobial Properties.

The main strategy of this study was to combine the traditional perspective of using medicinal extracts with polymeric scaffolds manufactured by an engineering approach to fabricate a potential dressing product with antimicrobial properties. Thus, chitosan-based membranes containing S. officinalis and H. perforatum extracts were developed and their suitability as novel dressing materials was investigated. The morphology of the chitosan-based films was assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the chemical structure characterization was performed via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The addition of the plant extracts increased the sorption capacity of the studied fluids, mainly at the membrane with S. officinalis extract. The membranes with 4% chitosan embedded with both plant extracts maintained their integrity after being immersed for 14 days in incubation media, especially in PBS. The antibacterial activities were determined by the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method for Gram-positive (S. aureus ATCC 25923, MRSA ATCC 43300) and Gram-negative (E. coli ATCC 25922, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853) microorganisms. The antibacterial property was enhanced by incorporating the plant extracts into chitosan films. The outcome of the study reveals that the obtained chitosan-based membranes are promising candidates to be used as a wound dressing due to their good physico-chemical and antimicrobial properties.

NANOSTRUCTURED LIPID CARRIERS AS A PROMISING DERMAL DELIVERY PLATFORM FOR ST. JOHN'S WORT EXTRACT: PRELIMINARY STUDIES

urpose: Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) can improve the stability of various phytochemicals, so this research aimed to develop and employ such delivery systems for Hypericum perforatum extract containing the light- and oxygen-sensitive phloroglucinol hyperforin. Materials and methods: By varying the processing parameters and the solid and liquid lipids used, different NLC models were obtained via emulsification, followed by high-shear homogenization and ultrasonication. After characterization of the elaborated nanocarriers, those that exhibited optimal properties were loaded with St. John's wort extract by incorporating it in the lipid phase before emulsification and also studied. Results: The NLC models developed by prolonged ultrasonication demonstrated favorable characteristics regarding particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP). The physically stable during long-term storage nanosystems, which also showed a reduced degree of crystallinity of the solid lipid included, were loaded with St. John's wort extract. Of the carriers so-obtained, those developed by ultrasonication at ambient temperatures can be described as acceptably uniform systems (PDI from 0.23±0.01 to 0.27±0.01), comprising particles with dimensions below 200 nm, favorable ZP values (ζ > |30 mV|), and superior entrapment efficacy (EE) greater than 85%. Conclusion: In this research, different stable NLC dispersions were successfully developed. After the inclusion of the St. John's wort extract, the model possessing the highest EE (87.77±0.64%) was chosen as a carrier to conduct further studies evaluating its wound-healing potential.

Hypericum perforatum Extract Increased Necrosis in Amikacin-Induced Kidney Injury

Hypericum perforatum Extract Increased Necrosis in Amikacin-Induced Kidney Injury

Comparative Study of the Antibacterial Activity, Total Phenolic and Total Flavonoid Content of Nine Hypericum Species Grown in Greece

Hypericum perforatum is an herb whose use dates back centuries. Extracts of the plant are available as over-the-counter treatment options for depression. The genus consists of approximately 500 species, most of which have not yet been studied. Antimicrobial resistance has reached alarming levels, indicating a post-antibiotic era as many of the available treatment options become less effective. For this reason, nine Hypericum species were studied for their antimicrobial activity and their total phenolic and flavonoid content. Extracts were tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Extracts inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis). The lowest MIC and MBC values were calculated for the extract of H. perforatum against both microorganisms tested, reaching 0.06 mg/mL for S. aureus and 0.13 mg/mL for E. faecalis. Total phenolic content was the highest in the H. perforatum extract (86 ± 12.90 mg GAE/g dry plant material). H. tetrapterum presented the highest flavonoid content, equal to 1.58 ± 0.4 mg RE/g of dry plant material. The Hypericum species studied herein are less common or have not yet been examined compared to H. perforatum; therefore, our study adds new data to the knowledge of the genus Hypericum.

Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activity of Hypericum perforatum L. Extracts against Human Melanoma Cells from Different Stages of Cancer Progression, Cultured under Normoxia and Hypoxia.

Oxidative stress and the hypoxic microenvironment play a key role in the progression of human melanoma, one of the most aggressive skin cancers. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of Hypericum perforatum extracts of different origins (both commercially available (HpEx2) and laboratory-prepared from wild grown (HpEx12) and in vitro cultured (HpEx13) plants) and hyperforin salt on WM115 primary and WM266-4 lymph node metastatic human melanoma cells cultured under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The polyphenol content, radical scavenging activity, and hyperforin concentration were determined in the extracts, while cell viability, apoptosis, ROS production, and expression of NRF2 and HO-1, important oxidative stress-related factors, were analyzed after 24 h of cell stimulation with HpExs and hyperforin salt. We found that cytotoxic, pro-apoptotic and antioxidant effects depend on the extract composition, the stage of melanoma progression, and the oxygen level. Hyperforin salt showed lower activity than H. perforatum extracts. Our study for the first time showed that the anticancer activity of H. perforatum extracts differs in normoxia and hypoxia. Importantly, the composition of extracts of various origins, including in vitro cultured, resulting in their unique properties, may be important in the selection of plants for therapeutic application.

The antidepressant effect of combined extracts of Hypericum perforatum and Echium amoenum supplementation in patients with depression symptoms: A randomized clinical trial.

Echium amoenum and Hypericum perforatum dried flowers have been used for therapy of mental disorders in Iranian traditional medicine. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of the E. amoenum and H. perforatum extracts in patients with mild to moderate depression. In an 8-week double-blind, parallel-group trial, 51 patients randomly consumed 20 mg of fluoxetine or 350 mg of herbal medicine twice daily. The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) was used to assess depression severity in patients at weeks 0, 4, and 8. According to the Hamilton score, there were no significant differences between the fluoxetine- and herbal medicine-treated groups after 4 and 8 weeks (p>0.05). Dry mouth was the only reported side effect which was significantly lower in the herbal group (p<0.05) in weeks 2 and 4. E. amoenum and H. perforatum have anti-depressant properties similar to fluoxetine and they can be used to treat depression as an alternative to fluoxetine.

In Vitro Antibacterial and Phytochemical Screening of Hypericum perforatum Extract as Potential Antimicrobial Agents against Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR) Strains of Clinical Origin.

The perennial plant Hypericum perforatum is widely distributed around the world. It has been used for many years in conventional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses, including stress, mild to moderate depression, and minor injuries. This study examined the antimicrobial activity of the H. perforatum total extract and its fractions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and aqueous) against multi-drug-resistant (MDR) isolates that were gathered from clinical samples, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Aerial parts of H. perforatum were collected and extracted using various solvents and were tested versus different isolated bacterial species. The inhibition zone of tested extracts was detected using an agar diffusion assay, and MICs were measured. Phytochemical analysis of promising H. perforatum extract was done using LC-ESI-MS/MS. Ultrastructure examination for the most altered bacteria used transmission electron microscopy. Antioxidant assays were done using DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacity methods. Cytotoxicity was reported versus Vero cells. Different extracts of H. perforatum showed promising antibacterial activity against the pathogens. While the subfractions of the total extract were observed to show lesser inhibition zones and higher MIC values than the total extract of H. perforatum against MDR strains, the total extract of H. perforatum demonstrated the most potent antimicrobial action with an inhibition zone range of 17.9-27.9 mm. MDR-K. pneumoniae was discovered to be the most susceptible strain, which is consistent with the antibacterial inhibitory action of H. perforatum whole extract. Additionally, after treatment at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC 3.9 μg/ml), the transmission electron microscope showed alterations in the ultrastructure of the K. pneumoniae cells. Methanol extract from H. perforatum has a CC50 value of 976.75 μg/ml. Future inhibitors that target MDR strains may be revealed by these findings. Additionally, the extracts that were put to the test demonstrated strong antioxidant effects as shown by DPPH or ABTS radical-scavenging assays.

Hypericum perforatum extract in broiler diets: effect on growth performance, carcass components, plasma constitutes, immunity and caecum microflora

Hypericum perforatum extract in broiler diets: effect on growth performance, carcass components, plasma constitutes, immunity and caecum microflora

Effects of Hypericum perforatum extract on 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxicity in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells

Effects of Hypericum perforatum extract on 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxicity in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells

Hypericum perforatum L. extract exerts insulinotropic effects and inhibits gluconeogenesis in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK expression and PKCε concentration

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHypericum perforatum L., commonly known as St. John's Wort (SJW), represents one of the best-known and most thoroughly researched medicinal plant species. The ethnobotanical usage and bioactivities related to H. perforatum include treatment of skin diseases, wounds and burns, gastrointestinal problems, urogenital diseases and psychiatric disorders, particularly depression. In the last decade, many studies focused on the bioactive constituents responsible for the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity of SJW extracts. However, the mechanism by which H. perforatum extract exhibits these properties is still unclear. Hence, the current study was designed to gain insight into the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which wildly growing H. perforatum exerts its antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities. Material and methodsPlant material of H. perforatum was harvested from a natural population in the Republic of North Macedonia during full flowering season. Methanol (80% v/v) was used to extract bioactive components from HH powder. The dissolved HH dry extract (in 0.3% CMC) was given daily as a single treatment (200 mg/kg bw) during 14 days both in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. As a positive control, we applied glibenclamide. The activity of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate methabolisam in the liver were assessed, along with substrate concentration, as well as AMPK mRNA levels, PKCε concentration, plasma insulin level and pancreatic PARP activity. ResultsCompared to diabetic rats, treatment of diabetic rats with HH extract resulted with decreased activity of hepatic enzymes glucose-6-phospatase and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase, increased liver glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate content, which resulted with reduced blood glucose concentration up to normoglycaemia. Non-significant changes were observed in the activity of hexokinase, glycogen phosphorylase and glucose-6-phospahte dehydrogenase. HH-treatment also caused an increase in plasma insulin concentration and increase in pancreatic PARP activity. Finally, HH treatment of diabetic rats showed significant increase in AMPK expression and decrease of PKCε concentration. ConclusionWe present in vivo evidence that HH- extract exert insulinotropic effects and regulate endogenous glucose production mostly by suppressing liver gluconeogenesis. The HH-treatment did not effected glycogenolysys and glycolysis. Finally, we confirm the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effect of HH-extract and the mechanism of this effect involves amelioration of AMPK and PKCε changes in the liver.

Bioactive compounds of deep eutectic solvents extracts of Hypericum perforatum L.: Polyphenolic- organic acid profile by LC-MS/MS and pharmaceutical activity

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are known as environmentally-friendly solvents that have emerged as an alternative to conventional organic solvents in recent years. In this study, the effects of ten different DESs on the extraction of bioactive components from the Hypericum perforatum were investigated. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, phenolic profile (32 phenolics), organic acid profile (52 organic acids), as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of H. perforatum extracts prepared using DESs and ultrasonic-assisted extraction method were determined. Total phenolic, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities of extracts were determined between 3.10 ± 0.86–16.64 ± 2.09 mg GA/g, 0.02 ± 0.00–12.29 ± 0.30 mg QE/g, and 8.40 ± 0.50–44.78 ± 2.66 mg TE/g, respectively. DES2 (choline chloride:ethylene glycol) and DES7 (choline chloride:lactic acid) demonstrated higher extraction success than other DESs for extracting phenolics and organic acids, respectively. DESs prepared using organic acid as hydrogen bond donor were found to have an antibacterial effect against all bacterial samples. However, the inhibitory effect against yeast-like fungi was observed in a narrower spectrum. Moreover, the results from principal component analysis also confirmed that the type of solvent used for extraction has a significant influence on the phenolics, organic acid, and other parameters. As a result, it was seen that DES components directly affect the extraction efficiency of target compounds from H. perforatum. This is a first and original report about use of DESs in extracting different bioactive components from H. perforatum.

Neuroprotective effect of Hypericum perforatum extract against Aluminum-maltolate induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells

Alzheimer's disease is multi-component neurodegenerative disorder. Oxidative stress disrupts regular functioning of metabolism in early-onset Alzheimer's disease. It causes Tau phosphorylation, formation of neurofibrillary tangle and neuron reduction. Due to intense binding of phosphorylated amino acids to aluminum, it induces self-assembly and deposition of high degree of phosphorylated cytoskeletal proteins, such as microtubule and neurofilament-associated proteins. In this study, it is aimed to consider the antioxidant potential of Hypericum perforatum extract against neurotoxicity caused by Aluminum-maltolate (Al(mal)3) and its effects on APP gene expression. Four different groups were determined to observe the impact of H. perforatum extract. After the incubation of the cells for 24 hours, only the medium was placed in the first group as control. 500 μM Al(mal)3 was added to the second group of cells. 20 μg mL-1 Hypericum perforatum extract was added to the third group. For the fourth group, 20 μg mL-1 Hypericum perforatum extract and 500 μM Al(mal)3 were added. While Al(mal)3 increased total antioxidant status levels in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, H. perforatum extract significantly inhibited Al(mal)3 induced oxidative stress. On the other hand, H. perforatum extract significantly decreased APP gene expression levels depending on Al(mal)3 toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. According to these results, H. perforatum extract significantly inhibited Al(mal)3 neurotoxicity against SH-SY5Y cells. To determine synergistic and antagonistic effects of H. perforatum extract content is important to examine their specific effects of together with hyperforin, which is a phytochemical produced by some of the members of the plant genus Hypericum, to discover new therapeutic agents against neurodegeneration.

The skin is the best alarm bell for recognizing the presence of the Omicron variant in younger asymptomatic patients

The skin is the best alarm bell for recognizing the presence of the Omicron variant in younger asymptomatic patients

Bulgarian Medicinal Extracts as Natural Inhibitors with Antiviral and Antibacterial Activity.

Background: Bulgaria is a country with a wide range of medicinal plants, with uses in traditional medicine dating back for centuries. Methods: Disc diffusion assay was used to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts. A cytopathic effect inhibition test was used for the assessment of the antiviral activity of the extracts. The virucidal activity of the extracts, their influence on the stage of viral adsorption, and their protective effect on uninfected cells were reported using the end-point dilution method, and Δlgs was determined as compared to the untreated controls. Results: The results of the study reveal that the antibacterial potential of G. glabra and H. perforatum extracts in Gram-positive bacteria is more effective than in Gram-negative bacteria. When applied during the replication of HSV-1 and HCov-OC-43, only some of the extracts showed weak activity, with SI between 2 to 8.5. Almost all tested extracts inhibited the extracellular virions of the studied enveloped viruses (HSV-1 and HCov-OC-43) to a greater extent than of the non-enveloped viruses (PV-1 and HAdV-5). They inhibited the stage of viral adsorption (HSV-1) in the host cell (MDBK) to varying degrees and showed a protective effect on healthy cells (MDBK) before they were subjected to viral invasion (HSV-1). Conclusion: The antipathogenic potential of extracts of H. perforatum and G. glabra suggests their effectiveness as antimicrobial agents. All 13 extracts of the Bulgarian medicinal plants studied can be used to reduce viral yield in a wide range of viral infections.

The Effect of Photoperiods on the Insecticidal Activity of Hypericum perforatum Extract on the Third Larval Instar of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella

The Effect of Photoperiods on the Insecticidal Activity of Hypericum perforatum Extract on the Third Larval Instar of Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella

Biosynthesis of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using Hypericum perforatum and Origanum vulgare extracts and their main components, hypericin and carvacrol as promising antibacterial agents.

To evaluate the anti-bacterial activities of titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles of Origanum (O.) vulgare and Hypericum (H.) perforatum extracts, carvacrol and hypericin against Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. In this study, TiOnanoparticles of O. vulgare and H. perforatum extracts, carvacrol and hypericin, were prepared and their antibacterial effects were evaluated against Staphylococcus (S.) aureus. In this study, scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infrared spectrometer, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential were used to investigate the structure of synthesized drugs. Anti-bacterial activity of synthesized NPs was tested by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration and disc diffusion method. MICs of TiO-NPs synthesized using O. vulgare, H. perforatum, carvacrol and hypericin and TiO were obtained 250, 62.5, 250, and 250, and 500 μg/mL, respectively. The MBCs for all of these were obtained 1000 μg/mL. Green-synthesized of TiO nanoparticles provides a promising approach to the use of O. vulgare and H. perforatum, carvacrol and hypericin as novel agents and safer antibacterial compounds, especially anti-S. aureus compounds.

Effects of Hypericum perforatum on serum lipid vascular systems in mice

Herbal products are increasingly used against lipid to attenuate its negative impact on vasculature system. However, there are uncertainty regarding the best administration approaches and preparation of herbal product to be used due to variation in absorption rate and extent with subsequent impaction on the lipid levels. The aim of the present study was comparing the pharmacological and analytical aspects of soaked versus powder form of Hypericum perforatum; a well-known anti-hyperlipidemic herbal product, using atorvastatin drug as a reference drug for comparison in addition to controlling groups (on/off lipid diet) handled as an additional control group. To conduct this research, the hyperlipidemia mice models were created by exposing the mice to a fatty diet and using H. perforatum and atorvastatin for evaluation. The plant extracts were also analyzed for active constituents. The results indicate that the plant analysis detected the presence of different antihyperlipidemic agents and the plant has effectively reduced plasma lipid parameters in exposed mice compared to control group; especially when taken forms of the plant was used. The study concluded that; soaked H. perforatum extract shown an effective reduction of lipid parameters and analysis of which revealed the presence of herbal active constituent which might be utilized in industrial pharmacy for new drug innovation.

Production of alginate films containing Hypericum perforatum extract as an antibacterial and antioxidant wound dressing material

The incorporation of herbal extracts in wound dressing materials is an important concept that has been researched recently. In this study, alginate films incorporated in the various ratio (0.25–1% v/v) of Hypericum perforatum extract (HPE) for potential applications of wound dressing were successfully prepared by solvent-casting method. The obtained films were examined for cytotoxicity, in vitro wound healing potential, swelling behavior, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties. When compared to the alginate film (Al) alone, HPE incorporated alginate films (HPE/Al) exhibit improved antioxidant properties according to the results of CUPRAC assay and antioxidant activity increases with the rate of HPE. Also, HPE/Al films exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, and addition with the HPE extract into films significantly increased the antibacterial activity against S. aureus. All film samples had no cytotoxic effects on fibroblast cell line and HPE/Al films showed a proliferative effect with high extract concentrations (1%) compared to extract free-films. Also, scratch assay results show that films containing 0.5% (v/v) HPE may have a positive effect on wound healing. The results have shown that the newly developed HPE incorporated alginate films are a candidate as antibacterial, and antioxidant wound dressing for use on burn or excision wounds.

A0429 - Investigation of the protective effect of hypericum perforatum extract on lipopolysaccaride induced cystitis

A0429 - Investigation of the protective effect of hypericum perforatum extract on lipopolysaccaride induced cystitis