[Antidepressive effect of a Hypericum extract standardized to an active hypericine complex. Biochemical and clinical studies]

Arzneimittelforschung. 1984;34(8):918-20.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In 6 women with depressive symptoms aged 55-65 years the effect on the excretion of urinary metabolits of noradrenaline and dopamine was measured after a monotherapy with the active hypericine complex (Psychotonin M). In all patients there was a significant increase in 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglucol which is considered an expression of a beginning antidepressive reaction. With the same patients supplemented with further 9 cases the clinical influence on the depression was measured during a period of 4-6 weeks, with the rating-scales SCAG (Clinical assessment geriatric scale) and DSI (Depression Status Inventory) there was shown a quantitative improvement of the items anxiety, dysphoric mood, loss of interest, hypersomnia, anorexia, depression regularly worse in the morning, insomnia, obstipation, psychomotoric retardation and feeling of worthlessness.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anthracenes
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benz(a)Anthracenes / therapeutic use*
  • Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder / metabolism
  • Electrocardiography
  • Electroencephalography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Perylene / analogs & derivatives
  • Perylene / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anthracenes
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Benz(a)Anthracenes
  • Plant Extracts
  • Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
  • Perylene
  • hypericin