St John’s wort (SJW) extracts, prepared from the aerial parts of
Hypericum perforatum, contain numerous pharmacologically active ingredients, including naphthodianthrones (e.g., hypericin and its derivatives),
phloroglucinols derivatives (e.g., hyperforin, which inhibits the reuptake of a number of neurotransmitters, including serotonin),
and flavonoids. Such extracts are widely used for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. As a monotherapy, SJW has
an encouraging safety profile. However, relevant and, in some case, life-threatening interactions have been reported, particularly
with drugs which are substrate of cytochrome P450 and/or P-glycoprotein. Well-documented SJW interactions include (1) reduced
blood cyclosporin concentration, as suggested by multiple case reports as well as by clinical trials, (2) serotonin syndrome
or lethargy when SJW was given with serotonin reuptake inhibitors, (3) unwanted pregnancies in women while using oral contraceptives
and SJW, and (4) reduced plasma drug concentration of antiretroviral (e.g., indinavir, nevirapine) and anticancer (i.e., irinotecan,
imatinib) drugs. Hyperforin, which is believed to contribute to the antidepressant action of St John’s wort, is also strongly
suspected to be responsible of most of the described interactions.
Key words cytochrome P450 enzymes - herb–drug interactions - herbal products - P-glycoprotein - St John’s wort
Guest Editor: Marilyn E. Morris