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4220212 
Journal Article 
Review 
St. John's wort: role of active compounds for its mechanism of action and efficacy 
Butterweck, V; Schmidt, M 
2007 
1 
Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift
ISSN: 0043-5341
EISSN: 1563-258X 
157 
13-14 
356-361 
English 
17704987 
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L., SJW) contains numerous compounds with documented biological activity. Constituents that have stimulated the most interest include the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, a broad range of flavonoids, and the phloroglucinols hyperforin and adhyperforin. According to the actual state of scientific knowledge the total extract has to be considered as the active substance. Although there are some open questions, the bulk of data suggests that several groups of active compounds are contributing to the antidepressant efficacy of the plant extract.