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Peng Z, Lu J, Liu K, Xie L, Wang Y, Cai C, Yang D, Xi J, Yan C, Li X, Shi M. Hypericin as a promising natural bioactive naphthodianthrone: A review of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and safety. Phytother Res 2023; 37:5639-5656. [PMID: 37690821 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Hypericin can be derived from St. John's wort, which is widely spread around the world. As a natural product, it has been put into clinical practice such as wound healing and depression for a long time. In this article, we review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety of hypericin, aiming to introduce the research advances and provide a full evaluation of it. Turns out hypericin, as a natural photosensitizer, exhibits an excellent capacity for anticancer, neuroprotection, and elimination of microorganisms, especially when activated by light, potent anticancer and antimicrobial effects are obtained after photodynamic therapy. The mechanisms of its therapeutic effects involve the induction of cell death, inhibition of cell cycle progression, inhibition of the reuptake of amines, and inhibition of virus replication. The pharmacokinetics properties indicate that hypericin has poor water solubility and bioavailability. The distribution and excretion are fast, and it is metabolized in bile. The toxicity of hypericin is rarely reported and the conventional use of it rarely causes adverse effects except for photosensitization. Therefore, we may conclude that hypericin can be used safely and effectively against a variety of diseases. We hope to provide researchers with detailed guidance and enlighten the development of it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolei Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Long Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dejun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingjing Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunmei Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyi Shi
- School of Intelligent Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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2
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Kumar S, Singh S, Kumar A, Murthy K, Kumar Singh A. pH-Responsive luminescence sensing, photoredox catalysis and photodynamic applications of ruthenium(II) photosensitizers bearing imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline scaffolds. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2021.214272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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3
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High purity separation of hypericin from Hypericum perforatum L. extract with macroporous resin column coupling preparative liquid chromatography. Process Biochem 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2021.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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4
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de Araújo PR, Fonseca-Santos B, Kogawa AC, Salgado HRN, Chorilli M. A Review of Analytical Methods for the Determination of Hypericin in Foods, Herbal, Biological and Pharmaceutical Matrices. Curr Pharm Des 2020; 26:4648-4657. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200531145624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aims:
A review of analytical methods for the determination of hypericin in foods, herbal, biological
and pharmaceutical matrices.
Background:
Hypericin (HYP) is a naturally-occurring pigment obtained from some plants of the genus Hypericum.
Although HYP has been known for many years, it has recently attracted attention due to its varied biological
properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antidepressant activity and it is also an efficient photosensitizer.
Objective:
The objective of this review is to provide insights into the physicochemical properties of HYP, as well
as to report the analytical methods existing in the literature and official compendia for different matrices.
Methods:
The survey data were collected by Google Scholar® and Scopus® using keys terms.
Result:
Analytical methods involving HYP are mainly concerned with the quality control of pharmaceutical
preparations, foods, beverages, biological samples and drug delivery systems using different types of analysis
methods. Some difficulties have also been identified due to the physicochemical properties of HYP. It presents
great solubility in alkaline solutions, organic bases and common polar organic solvents.
Conclusion:
It can be analyzed by thin layer chromatography, spectrophotometry in the ultraviolet region, but the
most commonly used method is by HPLC. HYP presents monographs in the American, British and European
Pharmacopoeias, however, the methods of analysis are not yet harmonized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rocha de Araújo
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Fonseca-Santos
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Kogawa
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Hérida Regina Nunes Salgado
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
| | - Marlus Chorilli
- Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Drugs and Medicines, Araraquara, SP, Brazil
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Pereira PCDS, Gonçalves RS, Zampar MA, Montanha MC, de Morais FA, Kimura E, Nakamura CV, Bruschi ML, Hioka N, Caetano W. Photosynthesis of hypericin in aqueous medium: A greener approach to prodrug strategy design in photodynamic therapy. J Mol Liq 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2020.112746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Lilge L, Roufaiel M, Lazic S, Kaspler P, Munegowda MA, Nitz M, Bassan J, Mandel A. Evaluation of a Ruthenium coordination complex as photosensitizer for PDT of bladder cancer: Cellular response, tissue selectivity and in vivo response. TRANSLATIONAL BIOPHOTONICS 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/tbio.201900032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lothar Lilge
- Princess Margaret Cancer CentreUniversity Health Network Toronto Ontario Canada
- Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | - Savo Lazic
- Theralase Technologies Inc. Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | | | - Mark Nitz
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Jay Bassan
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
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7
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Doležal R, Houdková I, Kalász H, Andrýs R, Novák M, Maltsevskaya NV, Karásková N, Kolář K, Novotná E, Kuča K, Žďárová Karasová J. Determination of Hypericin in Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort) Using Classical C18 and Pentafluorophenyl Stationary Phases: Contribution of Pi–Pi Interactions to High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). ANAL LETT 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2019.1571076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Doležal
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Center for Basic and Applied Research, Faculty of Informatics and Management, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Houdková
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Huba Kalász
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Rudolf Andrýs
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Novák
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | | | - Natálie Karásková
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Kolář
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Novotná
- Department of Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuča
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry Faculty of Sciences, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Žďárová Karasová
- Biomedical Research Center, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
- Department of Toxicology and Military Pharmacy Faculty of Military Health Sciences, Hradec Kralove, University of Defense, Brno, Czech Republic
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Abma E, Peremans K, De Vos F, Bosmans T, Kitshoff AM, Daminet S, Ni Y, Dockx R, de Rooster H. Biodistribution and tolerance of intravenous iodine-131-labelled hypericin in healthy dogs. Vet Comp Oncol 2018; 16:318-323. [PMID: 29314561 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hypericin (Hyp) is a necrosis-avid compound that can be efficiently labelled with radioiodine for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Before 131 I-Hyp can be considered as a clinically useful drug in a combination therapy for canine cancer patients, evaluation of its toxicity is necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the biodistribution and tolerance of a single dose administration of 131 I-Hyp. Three healthy dogs were included. 131 I-Hyp at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg and an activity of 185 MBq was intravenously injected. The effects on physical, haematological and biochemical parameters were characterized and the biodistribution and elimination pattern, the effective half-life and dose rate were assessed. Drug-related adverse events were limited to mild gastrointestinal signs, resolving within 48 hours. No significant differences were found in blood haematology and serum biochemistry before and after treatment. Following administration, highest percentage of injected dose (%ID ± SD) was found in the liver (5.5 ± 0.33), the lungs (4.17 ± 0.14) and the heart (3.11 ± 0.78). After 24 hours, highest %ID was found in colon (4.25 ± 1.45) and liver (3.45 ± 0.60). Clearance from all organs was effective within 7 days. Effective half-life was established at 80 hours, and the dose rate fell below <20 μSv/h at 1 m within 1 day. The current study reveals that single dose treatment with 131 I-Hyp at the described dose is well tolerated by healthy dogs and supports the use of radioiodinated hypericin in a combination therapy for canine cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Abma
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Peremans
- Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopaedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - F De Vos
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - T Bosmans
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - A M Kitshoff
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - S Daminet
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Y Ni
- Theragnostic Lab, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - R Dockx
- Department of Medical Imaging and Orthopaedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - H de Rooster
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.,Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
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9
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Couldwell WT, Surnock AA, Tobia AJ, Cabana BE, Stillerman CB, Forsyth PA, Appley AJ, Spence AM, Hinton DR, Chen TC. A phase 1/2 study of orally administered synthetic hypericin for treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas. Cancer 2011; 117:4905-15. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2010] [Revised: 02/01/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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10
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Youssef T, Fadel M, Fahmy R, Kassab K. Evaluation of hypericin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles: Physicochemical properties, photostability and phototoxicity. Pharm Dev Technol 2010; 17:177-86. [DOI: 10.3109/10837450.2010.529148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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11
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Wille SMR, Cooreman SG, Neels HM, Lambert WEE. Relevant Issues in the Monitoring and the Toxicology of Antidepressants. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2008; 45:25-89. [DOI: 10.1080/10408360701713112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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12
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Kascakova S, Nadova Z, Mateasik A, Mikes J, Huntosova V, Refregiers M, Sureau F, Maurizot JC, Miskovsky P, Jancura D. High level of low-density lipoprotein receptors enhance hypericin uptake by U-87 MG cells in the presence of LDL. Photochem Photobiol 2008; 84:120-7. [PMID: 18173711 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00207.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The dependence of the uptake of hypericin (Hyp) by human glioma U-87 MG cells on the level of expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors has been studied in this work. A special role of the LDL receptor-pathway for Hyp delivery to U-87 MG cells in the presence of LDL was revealed by the substantial increase of Hyp uptake in the situation, when the number of LDL receptors on the cell surface was elevated. Moreover, the colocalization experiments showed the lysosomal localization of Hyp following the uptake and that the concentration of Hyp in these organelles was enhanced in the cells with elevated number of LDL receptors when the incubation medium contained LDL. Both these findings suggest that LDL and LDL receptor-pathway play an important role in the delivery and accumulation of Hyp into the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slavka Kascakova
- Department of Biophysics, P. J. Safarik University, Kosice, Slovakia
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13
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Uzdensky AB, Iani V, Ma LW, Moan J. Photobleaching of Hypericin Bound to Human Serum Albumin, Cultured Adenocarcinoma Cells and Nude Mice Skin¶. Photochem Photobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2002)0760320pohbth2.0.co2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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14
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Prince AM, Pascual D, Meruelo D, Liebes L, Mazur Y, Dubovi E, Mandel M, Lavie G. Strategies for Evaluation of Enveloped Virus Inactivation in Red Cell Concentrates Using Hypericin. Photochem Photobiol 2007. [DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2000)0710188sfeoev2.0.co2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Sirvent
- a Department of Plant Pathology , Cornell University , Ithaca, NY, 14850, U.S.A
| | - Donna M. Gibson
- b US Plant, Soil, and Nutrition Laboratory , USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Plant Protection Research Unit, Tower Road, Ithaca, NY, 14583, U.S.A
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Wurglics M, Schubert-Zsilavecz M. Hypericum perforatum: a 'modern' herbal antidepressant: pharmacokinetics of active ingredients. Clin Pharmacokinet 2006; 45:449-68. [PMID: 16640452 DOI: 10.2165/00003088-200645050-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Hypericum perforatum (St John's Wort [SJW]) counts among the most favourite herbal drugs, and is the only herbal alternative to classic synthetic antidepressants in the therapy of mild to moderate depression. Several clinical studies have been conducted to verify the effectiveness of ethanolic or methanolic extracts of SJW. Alcoholic SJW extracts are a mixture of substances with widely varying physical and chemical properties and activities. Hyperforin, a phloroglucinol derivative, is the main source of pharmacological effects caused by the consumption of alcoholic extracts of SJW in the therapy of depression. However, several studies indicate that flavone derivatives, e.g. rutin, and also the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, take part in the antidepressant efficacy. In contrast to the amount of documentation concerning clinical efficacy, oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic data about the active components are rather scarce. The hyperforin plasma concentration in humans was investigated in a small number of studies. The results of these studies indicate a relevant plasma concentration, comparable with that used in in vitro tests. Furthermore, hyperforin is the only ingredient of H. perforatum that could be determined in the brain of rodents after oral administration of alcoholic extracts. The plasma concentrations of the hypericins were, compared with hyperforin, only one-tenth and, until now, the hypericins could not be found in the brain after oral administration of alcoholic H. perforatum extracts or pure hypericin. Until now, the pharmacokinetic profile of the flavonoids in humans after oral administration of an alcoholic H. perforatum extract has been investigated in only one study. More data are available for rutin and the aglycone quercetin after administration of pure substances or other flavonoid sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Wurglics
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ZAFES, J.W. Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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17
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Pages G, Mazarin M, Sergent M, Phan-Tan-Luu R, Delaurent C. Optimization of the assay of naphthodianthrones in dry St John’s wort extract by reversed-phase liquid chromatography. Anal Bioanal Chem 2006; 385:716-23. [PMID: 16741771 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-006-0426-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2006] [Revised: 02/17/2006] [Accepted: 03/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
An optimization procedure for the reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) assay of naphthodianthrones in St John's wort extract from the European Pharmacopoeia project is described. The results obtained from two screening designs showed that light exposure, recommended in the monograph as sample pretreatment, does not permit one to obtain a reproducible quantification of the main ingredients. Improvement of the method robustness implies the need to overcome the problem of light exposure, to subsequently quantify protonaphthodianthrones and to perform the separation on octadecyl (ODS)-bonded phase at optimized flow rate. The method robustness was checked by using a bifurcation sequential approach investigating the influence of 13 factors. The eluent recommended in the monograph is a ternary mixture of methanol, phosphate buffer and ethyl acetate. For the sake of simplicity, the phosphate buffer was substituted by an acetate buffer. The best composition of the ternary mixture was determined by a combined design including three mixture variables and the temperature as an independent variable. Chromatographic parameters were modelled in terms of analysis time, resolution and asymmetry. Desirability functions permit one to cope with these parameters and to determine the best compromise. The naphthodianthrones were separated on a conventional endcapped octadecyl silica gel column eluted by a ternary mobile phase at 40 degrees C in 10 min.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilhem Pages
- JE 2421 TRACES, Université Paul Cézanne, Avenue Escadrille Normandie-Niemen, Case 512, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France
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18
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Saw CLL, Olivo M, Soo KC, Heng PWS. Spectroscopic characterization and photobleaching kinetics of hypericin-N-methyl pyrrolidone formulations. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2006; 5:1018-23. [PMID: 17077897 DOI: 10.1039/b602807a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Hypericin (HY) is a promising photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT). It was recently reported that appropriate use of N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) enhanced in vivo PDT efficacy of HY and enhanced in vivo delivery of HY. This present study further investigates the use of NMP and other known non-toxic pharmaceutical additives, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, K29/32) and copolyvidonum (S630), for formulating HY to enhance its delivery with photodynamic activity as a goal in mind. Hence, the first objective of this study was to characterize the solubilization of HY by NMP, K29/32 and S630. Thermodynamic considerations were used to explain the solvation process. Photobleaching is another important property of photosensitizers. There is no report on the photostability of HY in pharmaceutical formulations used for PDT. Therefore, the second objective of this study was to investigate the photobleaching of HY in these formulations. The fluorescence of HY was found to increase significantly in higher concentrations of NMP or when 5% of polymer was co-mixed with 5% of NMP solution. The photobleaching of HY in these formulations followed first-order kinetics. The loss of fluorescence paralleled to the loss of absorption of HY. The formulation of HY with 40% NMP was found to be the most stable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance Lay Lay Saw
- Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore, Singapore 117543
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19
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Gioti EM, Skalkos DC, Fiamegos YC, Stalikas CD. Single-drop liquid-phase microextraction for the determination of hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin in biological fluids by high performance liquid chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2005; 1093:1-10. [PMID: 16233865 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2005.07.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2005] [Revised: 07/06/2005] [Accepted: 07/11/2005] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The analysis of hypericin, pseudohypericin (collectively called in this study hypericins) and hyperforin in biological fluids is reported using single-drop liquid-phase microextraction in conjunction with HPLC-UV-fluorescence detection. A new option for analysis of the active principle constituents in biological samples is proposed, reducing the steps required prior to analysis. There are several parameters which determine the mass transfer such as the extraction solvent, drop and sample volumes, extraction time and temperature, pH and ionic strength, stirring rate and depth of needle tip in the bulk solution. These parameters were chosen to optimize the performance in the current study. The method was validated with respect to precision, accuracy and specificity. The intra-day precision values were below 2.3% for the high concentration level of control samples and 6.2% for the low level. The respective inter-day precision values were calculated to be below 4.4 and 7.1%, respectively, for the two concentration levels. Accuracy of the method, calculated as relative error, ranged from -2.6 to 7.0%. It was demonstrated that as long as the extraction procedure is consistently applied, quantitative analysis is performed accurately and reproducibly in human urine and plasma samples. Limits of quantitation (LOQs) in urine were calculated to be 3, 6 and 12 ng/ml for pseudohypericin, hypericin and hyperforin, respectively. Slightly higher limits were measured in plasma, i.e. 5, 12 and 20 ng/ml, for the respective analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni M Gioti
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Dourouti, Ioannina 45110, Greece
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20
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Holstege CP, Mitchell K, Barlotta K, Furbee RB. Toxicity and drug interactions associated with herbal products: ephedra and St. John's Wort. Med Clin North Am 2005; 89:1225-57. [PMID: 16227061 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcna.2005.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Health care providers are being increasingly confronted with the use of herbal medications by their patients. It is imperative that patients be questioned regarding herbal preparation use and that health care providers become familiar with these agents. Research into the active components and mechanisms of action of various herbals is ongoing [350]. Long-range studies need to be performed to follow patients for efficacy or toxicity in chronic use [351,352]. Adverse reactions to herbal remedies should be reported to the FDA MedWatch at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch. As withany therapeutic agent, risk of use must always be weighed against potential benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Holstege
- Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0774, USA.
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21
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Kamuhabwa AAR, Di Mavungu JD, Baert L, D'Hallewin MA, Hoogmartens J, de Witte PAM. Determination of hypericin in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography after intravesical administration in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2005; 59:469-74. [PMID: 15760727 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2004.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2003] [Revised: 09/01/2004] [Accepted: 09/01/2004] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the systemic absorption of hypericin was investigated after intravesical instillation of the compound in nine patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) bladder tumors. Hypericin (8 microM) was instilled in the bladder for 2-3 h before photodynamic diagnosis of bladder tumors. Blood was then collected from a peripheral vein 1 h after termination of the instillation. Solid phase extraction with ammonium acetate buffer and methanol was used to extract hypericin from the plasma. A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection was used to identify and quantify hypericin in the extracts from plasma samples. Analysis of standard plasma samples, which were spiked with known amounts of hypericin, indicated that the pH of the buffer was a determining factor in the extraction yield. The results obtained using ammonium buffer (pH 3.5) and methanol showed the mean extraction recovery of hypericin to be 64% (RSD=12%, n=6). The limits of detection and quantification were 6 and 20 nM, respectively. Extraction and analysis of the plasma of patients after intravesical administration showed hypericin concentrations below the detection limit (<6 nM). In addition, photodynamic treatment of in vitro cultured HeLa cells incubated with 1-100 nM hypericin concentrations showed that lower concentrations (1-20 nM) of hypericin do not induce significant photocytotoxic effects. Taken together, these results imply that photosensitization or other systemic side effects in patients are not to be expected after photodynamic diagnosis of TCC bladder tumors with hypericin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Appolinary A R Kamuhabwa
- Laboratorium voor Farmaceutische Biologie en Fytofarmacologie, Faculteit Farmaceutische Wetenschappen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kascakova S, Refregiers M, Jancura D, Sureau F, Maurizot JC, Miskovsky P. Fluorescence Spectroscopic Study of Hypericin-photosensitized Oxidation of Low-density Lipoproteins. Photochem Photobiol 2005; 81:1395-403. [PMID: 15960595 DOI: 10.1562/2005-04-28-ra-503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
By means of UV-VIS absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the photosensitizer hypericin (Hyp) interacts nonspecifically with low-density lipoproteins (LDL), most probably with the lipid fraction of LDL. The molar ratio of monomeric Hyp binding to nonoxidized LDL and mildly oxidized LDL is 30:1. Increasing the Hyp concentration further leads to the formation of Hyp aggregates inside the LDL molecule. We also demonstrate that photoactivated Hyp oxidizes LDL in a light dose and excitation wavelength dependent manner. The level of oxidation of LDL depends on the amount of Hyp inside the LDL molecule. The maximum of the photosensitized oxidation of the LDL by Hyp is achieved for a 30:1 molar ratio, which corresponds to the maximum concentration of monomeric form of Hyp in LDL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slavka Kascakova
- Department of Biophysics, University of P. J. Safarik, Kosice, Slovak Republic
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23
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Riedel KD, Rieger K, Martin-Facklam M, Mikus G, Haefeli WE, Burhenne J. Simultaneous determination of hypericin and hyperforin in human plasma with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2004; 813:27-33. [PMID: 15556512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2004.09.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2004] [Accepted: 09/02/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A selective and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of hypericin and hyperforin--the two main active ingredients of St. John's Wort (SJW) extract--in human plasma depending on liquid/liquid-extraction and LC/MS/MS detection has been developed, validated after specifying the stability of the photosensitive hypericin in plasma samples during light exposure and applied to samples of a patient. After extraction with ethyl acetate/n-hexane in the darkness, sample extracts were chromatographed isocratically within 6 min on a Kromasil RP-18 column. The analytes were detected with tandem mass spectrometry in the selected reaction monitoring mode using an electrospray ion source. The limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL for hypericin and 0.035 ng/mL for hyperforin. The accuracy of the method varied between 101.9 and 114.2% and the precision ranged from 4.7 to 15.4% (S.D., batch-to-batch) for both analytes. The method was linear at least between 0.05 and 10 ng/mL for hypericin and between 0.035 and 100 ng/mL for hyperforin. Using this method hypericin and hyperforin were determined successfully in a patient over seven days following discontinuation of exposure with therapeutic doses of St. John's Wort extract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus-Dieter Riedel
- Department of Internal Medicine VI, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacoepidemiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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24
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Piperopoulos G, Kiehne A, Ingendoh A, Zeller KP. [Methyl-D3]2hypericin as internal standard for quantification in human plasma. Anal Bioanal Chem 2003; 375:744-50. [PMID: 12664172 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-003-1780-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2002] [Revised: 12/13/2002] [Accepted: 01/08/2003] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The multistep synthesis and negative ion-ESI fragmentation pattern of [methyl-D(3)](2)hypericin (1-D(6)) is described. The application of 1-d(6) as internal standard for the quantification of hypericin (1) in the ng mL(-1) range in human plasma by isotope-dilution LC-MS is demonstrated. The hypericin-containing plasma samples are spiked with 1-D(6), deproteinized and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extracts are injected into a HPLC-ESI-ion-trap system and the mass-separated negative ions from 1 and 1-D(6) are analysed. From their intensities linear standard curves over the concentration range from 1 to 10 ng mL(-1) are obtained. Accuracy, precision and recovery are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios Piperopoulos
- Institut für Organische Chemie, Eberhard-Karls Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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25
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Pirker R, Huck CW, Bonn GK. Simultaneous determination of hypericin and hyperforin in human plasma and serum using liquid–liquid extraction, high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2002; 777:147-53. [PMID: 12270208 DOI: 10.1016/s1570-0232(02)00080-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A method for the simultaneous extraction of hypericin and hyperforin from a St. John's Wort extract, which is used in case of moderate depressions and skin injuries, from human plasma and serum by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with n-hexane-ethylacetate (70:30, w/w) was developed. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method with UV, fluorescence (FLD) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection using electrospray ionization (ESI) was used to identify and quantify hypericin and hyperforin in the extracts from blood samples. Linearity was obtained in the ranges 8.4-28.7 ng/ml (hypericin) and 21.6-242.6 ng/ml (hyperforin). Recoveries were between 32.2 and 35.6% for hypericin and 100.1 and 89.9% for hyperforin. Intra-day accuracy and precision for this method ranged between 3.2 and 4.3% and 2.6 and 2.8%, respectively. After validation of the LLE, the method was tested on real plasma samples which were obtained by ingestion of St. John's Wort extract capsules. Blood samples were taken 2, 4, and 6 h after ingestion. Finally, this method proved to be highly suitable for clinical and pharmacologically relevant studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pirker
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Leopold-Franzens University, Innrain 52a, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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26
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Uzdensky AB, Iani V, Ma LW, Moan J. Photobleaching of hypericin bound to human serum albumin, cultured adenocarcinoma cells and nude mice skin. Photochem Photobiol 2002; 76:320-8. [PMID: 12403454 DOI: 10.1562/0031-8655(2002)076<0320:pohbth>2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hypericin is a promising photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) characterized by a high yield of singlet oxygen. Photobleaching of hypericin has been studied by means of absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy in different biological systems: in human serum albumin solution, in cultured human adenocarcinoma WiDr cells and in the skin of nude mice. Prolonged exposure to light (up to 95 min, 100 mW/cm2) of wavelength around 596 nm induced fluence-dependent photobleaching of hypericin in all studied systems. The photobleaching was not oxygen dependent, and singlet oxygen probably played no significant role. Emission bands in the spectral regions 420-560 nm and above 600 nm characterize the photoproducts formed. An emission band at 615-635 nm was observed after irradiation of cells incubated with hypericin or of mouse skin in vivo but not in albumin solution. The excitation spectrum of these products resembled that of hypericin. Hypericin appears to be more photostable than most sensitizers used in PDT, including mTHPC and Photofrin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoly B Uzdensky
- Department of Biophysics, Institute for Cancer Research, Montebello, Oslo, Norway.
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27
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Urbánek M, Blechtová L, Pospísilová M, Polásek M. On-line coupling of capillary isotachophoresis and capillary zone electrophoresis for the determination of flavonoids in methanolic extracts of Hypericum perforatum leaves or flowers. J Chromatogr A 2002; 958:261-71. [PMID: 12134824 DOI: 10.1016/s0021-9673(02)00316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Five flavonoids (hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin and rutin) were separated and determined in extracts of Hypericum perforatum leaves or flowers by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with isotachophoretic (ITP) sample pre-treatment using on-line column coupling configuration. The background electrolyte (BGE) used in the CZE step was different from the leading and terminating ITP electrolytes but all the electrolytes contained 20% (v/v) of methanol. The optimal leading electrolyte was 10 mM HCl of pH* approximately 7.2 (adjusted with Tris) and the terminating electrolyte was 50 mM H3BO3 of pH* approximately 8.2 (adjusted with barium hydroxide). This operational system allowed to concentrate and pre-separate selectively the flavonoid fraction from other plant constituents before the introduction of the flavonoids into the CZE capillary. The BGE for the CZE step was 50 mM Tris buffer of pH* approximately 8.75 containing 25 mM N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid as co-ion and 55 mM H3BO3 as complex-forming agent. The ITP-CZE method with spectrophotometric detection at 254 nm was suitable for the quantitation of the flavonoids in real natural samples; kaempferol was used as internal standard. The limit of detection for quercetin-3-O-glycosides was 100 ng ml(-1) and calibration curves were rectilinear in the range 1-10 microg ml (-1) for most of the analytes. The RSD values ranged between 0.9 and 2.7% (n=3) when determining approximately 0.07-1.2% of the individual flavonoids in dried medicinal plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Urbánek
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Charles University, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic
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Bauer S, Störmer E, Graubaum HJ, Roots I. Determination of hyperforin, hypericin, and pseudohypericin in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2001; 765:29-35. [PMID: 11817306 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(01)00390-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Hyperforin, hypericin and pseudohypericin are the main ingredients of St. John's wort extract, which is available over the counter for treatment of mild to moderate depression. To facilitate clinical studies we developed two sensitive HPLC methods for determination of hypericin/pseudohypericin and hyperforin, respectively, in human plasma samples. The achieved limits of quantitation of 0.25 ng/ml for hypericin and pseudohypericin and 10 ng/ml for hyperforin were low enough to allow determination of pharmacokinetic parameters of the substances. Following liquid-liquid extraction of human plasma the samples were separated by isocratic reversed-phase HLPC and analyzed using fluorimetric detection for hypericin/pseudohypericin and UV detection for hyperforin.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bauer
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Charitè Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.
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30
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Rayburn WF, Gonzalez CL, Christensen HD, Harkins TL, Kupiec TC. Impact of hypericum (St.-John's-wort) given prenatally on cognition of mice offspring. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2001; 23:629-37. [PMID: 11792531 DOI: 10.1016/s0892-0362(01)00179-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the cognitive impact of prenatal exposure to the herbal antidepressant hypericum in CD-1 mice. Hypericum (182 mg/kg/day) or a placebo was consumed in food bars for 2 weeks before mating and throughout gestation. The hypericin content in our hypericum formulation was in the middle range of standardized hypericum products. One offspring per gender from each litter (hypericum 13, placebo 12) was tested on each of the following tasks: juvenile runway with adult memory, adult Morris maze, adult passive avoidance, or adult straight water runway followed by a dry Cincinnati maze. Learning occurred in both genders in all tasks (P<.003) with no significant differences between treatments at the final trial. Female offspring exposed to hypericum, rather than to a placebo, required more time to learn the Morris maze task (P<.05). Postlearning sessions did not show any significant differences. In conclusion, prenatal exposure to a therapeutic dose of hypericum did not have a major impact on certain cognitive tasks in mice offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- W F Rayburn
- Section of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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31
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Zotou A, Loukou Z. Determination of hypericin and pseudohypericin in extracts fromHypericum Perforatum L. and pharmaceutical preparations by liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection. Chromatographia 2001. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02492249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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32
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Jacobson JM, Feinman L, Liebes L, Ostrow N, Koslowski V, Tobia A, Cabana BE, Lee D, Spritzler J, Prince AM. Pharmacokinetics, safety, and antiviral effects of hypericin, a derivative of St. John's wort plant, in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2001; 45:517-24. [PMID: 11158749 PMCID: PMC90321 DOI: 10.1128/aac.45.2.517-524.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypericin is a natural derivative of the common St. Johns wort plant, Hypericum perforatum. It has in vitro activity against several viruses, including bovine diarrhea virus, a pestivirus with structural similarities to hepatitis C virus (HCV). We conducted a phase I dose escalation study to determine the safety and antiviral activity of hypericin in patients with chronic HCV infection. The first 12 patients received an 8-week course of 0.05 mg of hypericin per kg of body weight orally once a day; 7 patients received an 8-week course of 0.10 mg/kg orally once a day. At the end of the 8-week period of treatment, no subject had a change of plasma HCV RNA level of more than 1.0 log(10). Five of 12 subjects receiving the 0.05-mg/kg/day dosing schedule and 6 of 7 subjects receiving the 0.10-mg/kg/day dosing schedule developed phototoxic reactions. No other serious adverse events associated with hypericin use occurred. The pharmacokinetic data revealed a long elimination half-life (mean values of 36.1 and 33.8 h, respectively, for the doses of 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and mean area under the curve determinations of 1.5 and 3.1 microg/ml x hr, respectively. In sum, hypericin given orally in doses of 0.05 and 0.10 mg/kg/d caused considerable phototoxicity and had no detectable anti-HCV activity in patients with chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Jacobson
- Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Rayburn WF, Gonzalez CL, Christensen HD, Stewart JD. Effect of prenatally administered hypericum (St John's wort) on growth and physical maturation of mouse offspring. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001; 184:191-5. [PMID: 11174501 DOI: 10.1067/mob.2001.108339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our purpose was to determine whether prenatal exposure to the herb hypericum (St John's wort) affects long-term growth and physical maturation of mouse offspring. STUDY DESIGN Forty CD-1 mice were randomly assigned to receive daily doses of either 180 mg/kg per day hypericum (n = 20) or a placebo (n = 20) for 2 weeks before conception and throughout gestation. Perinatal outcomes, growth, and physical milestones of the offspring were compared in a blinded manner. Variables were compared by analysis of variance or by chi2 testing. RESULTS The gestational ages at delivery and litter sizes did not differ between the hypericum-exposed and the placebo-exposed offspring. The body weight, body length, and head circumference measurements from postnatal day 3 through adulthood increased in a manner that was indistinguishable between the two groups of offspring, regardless of gender. No differences in reaching physical milestones (teeth eruptions, eye opening, external genitalia) were noted between the 2 groups. The reproductive capability, perinatal outcomes, and growth and development of the second-generation offspring were unaffected by hypericum exposure. CONCLUSION Maternal administration of hypericum before and throughout gestation did not affect long-term growth and physical maturation of exposed mouse offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- W F Rayburn
- Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA
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Draves AH, Walker SE. Determination of hypericin and pseudohypericin in pharmaceutical preparations by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 2000; 749:57-66. [PMID: 11129079 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(00)00383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The quantification of the naphthodianthrones, hypericin and pseudohypericin, to which most St. John's wort pharmaceutical preparations are standardized, can be accomplished with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity with LC-fluorescence. Extraction into ethanol is rapid and recovers more than 95% of both pseudohypericin and hypericin following 1 h of sonication. This LC-fluorescence method can separate and detect both pseudohypericin and hypericin in the presence of other constituents in Hypericum perforatum with a greater degree of specificity than LC-UV at either 236 nm or 592 nm and may even be more specific than LC-MS if only the molecular ion is monitored. LC-fluorescence is also more sensitive than LC-UV at either 236 nm or 592 nm. The LC-fluorescence method can quantify on-column amounts of hypericin and pseudohypericin as low as 0.18 ng with less than 5% deviation from known and method replication error (reproducibility) less than 5.5%. Hypericin and pseudohypericin can be accurately and reproducibly quantified from capsules, tablets and tinctures of St. John's wort.
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Affiliation(s)
- A H Draves
- Department of Pharmacy, Sunnybrook Health & Women's College Science Center, North York, Ontario, Canada
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Rayburn WF, Christensen HD, Gonzalez CL. Effect of antenatal exposure to Saint John's wort (Hypericum) on neurobehavior of developing mice. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000; 183:1225-31. [PMID: 11084570 DOI: 10.1067/mob.2000.108889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted, in a randomized, placebo-controlled manner, behavioral testing on mice offspring exposed antenatally to the herbal antidepressant Saint John's wort (Hypericum ). STUDY DESIGN A daily dose of Saint John's wort (0.75 mg/g of food consumed), equivalent to that in human beings according to body surface, was chosen because it has been shown to cause an antidepressant effect in adult mice. CD-1 mice were randomly assigned to consume either Saint John's wort (n = 45) or a placebo (n = 45) for 2 weeks before conception and throughout gestation. Behavioral testing consisted of early developmental tasks of geotaxis, separation vocalization, and homing, followed by motor, anxiety, and depression assessments into adulthood. RESULTS Birth weights of male offspring were less in the Saint John's wort group than in the placebo group (1.68 vs. 1.75 g; P<.01). Offspring in both treatment groups showed no long-term statistical differences in early developmental tasks, locomotor activity, and exploratory behavior throughout development. Performances on a depression task (forced swim) and on anxiety tasks (elevated plus maze as juveniles and adults) revealed no differences between treatment groups. CONCLUSION Antenatal exposure to a therapeutic dose of Saint John's wort showed no long-term deficits on selected behavioral tasks by developing mice offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- W F Rayburn
- Section of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque 87131, USA
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Liu FF, Ang CY, Springer D. Optimization of extraction conditions for active components in Hypericum perforatum using response surface methodology. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2000; 48:3364-3371. [PMID: 10956117 DOI: 10.1021/jf991086m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Optimal conditions for extraction of Hypericum perforatum were determined using response surface methodology. A 3 x 4 x 4 full factorial design representing three extraction temperatures, four extraction times, and four solvent concentrations was executed. The overall extraction efficiency was defined by comparing either the total extractable material weight or the individual component peak area to the peak area of luteolin as internal standard. Of the tested variables, the extraction temperature most significantly affected extraction efficiency. Higher temperatures gave better extraction efficiencies, but high temperature also caused decomposition of hypericin. Within the test range, responses for most variables had local maxima. Optimum ranges of time and concentration for individual variables were overlaid. Considering all variables, optimum ranges for extraction time and extraction solvent concentration (percent ethanol in acetone) were 5.0-6.7 h and 44-74% at 23 degrees C, 5.4-6.9 h and 45-72% at 40 degrees C, and 5.3-5.9 h and 44-69% ethanol in acetone at 55 degrees C, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- F F Liu
- Division of Chemistry, National Center for Toxicological Research, Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72079, USA
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Kamuhabwa AR, Geboes KR, de Witte PA. Investigation of the absorption of hypericin into the skin of hairless mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 2000; 52:487-94. [PMID: 10864135 DOI: 10.1211/0022357001774264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
The skin absorption of hypericin was evaluated in hairless mice to develop an optimised hypericin topical formulation that could be used in the clinical study of psoriasis. Hypericin (0.01-1.0%) in Beeler basis, polyethylene glycol ointment, carbopol gel, cetomacrogol cream, petrolatum or emulsifying ointment, with and without skin-absorption enhancers (isopropylidene glycerol and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether), was tested in-vivo on hairless mice skin. Using a skin-stripping technique and the intrinsic fluorescence of hypericin under standardised UV365 irradiation, it was demonstrated that the absorption of hypericin very much depended on the vehicle used. The concentrations of hypericin in the skin were then estimated by HPLC analysis. For this purpose, two vehicles were employed, with which hypericin penetrated the skin of hairless mice well (emulsifying ointment with isopropylidene glycerol) or very poorly (polyethylene glycol ointment). In the case of emulsifying ointment with isopropylidene glycerol (0.05% hypericin), a substantial concentration of hypericin (8.6+/-3.2 microg g(-1)) (mean +/- s.d., n = 5) was found in the skin. With polyethylene glycol ointment, however, only a limited hypericin skin concentration (0.38+/-0-34 microg g(-1), n = 5) was achieved. These results show that emulsifying ointment with polyethylene glycol holds promise as an effective topical vehicle for the treatment of skin diseases, such as psoriasis, with hypericin.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Kamuhabwa
- Laboratorium voor Farmaceutische Biologie en Fytofarmacologie, Faculteit Farmaceutische Wetenschappen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
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38
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Hypericum Perforatum - St. John's Wort Chemical, Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1016/s1572-5995(00)80037-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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Chi JD, Franklin M. Determination of hypericin in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1999; 724:195-8. [PMID: 10202973 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(98)00572-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hypericin, a polycyclic dianthroquinone, is one of the characteristic ingredients of Hypericum perforatum extracts (St. John's wort, HP), which has antidepressant effects. Hypericin and the internal standard (I.S.), dansylamide, were extracted from plasma utilizing solid-phase extraction (SPE). Chromatography was performed using isocratic reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence end-point detection. The calibration curve was linear over the range 5-100 ng per ml of plasma. The sensitivity for hypericin was 75 pg on column. Mean inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation (C.V.s) over the range of the standard curve were less than 10%. The absolute recovery for hypericin averaged 72.6%.
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Affiliation(s)
- J D Chi
- University of Oxford, Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, UK
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Terazima MN, Iio H, Harumoto T. Toxic and Phototoxic Properties of the Protozoan Pigments Blepharismin and Oxyblepharismin. Photochem Photobiol 1999. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1999.tb05305.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Fox FE, Niu Z, Tobia A, Rook AH. Photoactivated hypericin is an anti-proliferative agent that induces a high rate of apoptotic death of normal, transformed, and malignant T lymphocytes: implications for the treatment of cutaneous lymphoproliferative and inflammatory disorders. J Invest Dermatol 1998; 111:327-32. [PMID: 9699738 DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1747.1998.00278.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hypericin is a photodynamic compound activated by either visible (400-700 nm) or UVA (320-400 nm) light, and has been shown to inhibit the growth of a variety of neoplastic cell types. In this study, hypericin was found to inhibit proliferative responses of malignant T cells derived from the blood of patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma. Control cells included peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal volunteers or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes. Cells from each of these populations were incubated with serial dilutions of hypericin or 8-methoxypsoralen and then stimulated with the mitogen ConA (10 microg per ml). Cultures were prepared in the dark to minimize photoactivation of the hypericin. Proliferation was measured by [3H]thymidine labeling after 72 h. Hypericin, photoactivated with 1.1-3.3 J white light per cm2, inhibited cellular proliferation of malignant T cells with IC50 values from 0.34 to 0.53 microM, normal PBMC with IC50 values of 0.11-0.76 microM, and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells with IC50 values of 0.75-3.2 microM. UVA-photoactivated hypericin (0.5-2.0 J per cm2) could also inhibit proliferation with IC50 values of 0.57-1.8 microM, 0.7-4.6 microM, and 2.0-3.7 microM for malignant, normal, or Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells, respectively. Hypericin, photoactivated with either UVA or white light, could induce near complete apoptosis (94%) in malignant cutaneous T cell lymphoma T cells, whereas lower levels of apoptosis (37-88%) were induced in normal PBMC. These data indicate that hypericin inhibits mitogen-induced proliferation of malignant T cells from patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma, PBMC from normal individuals, as well as Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphocytes, and that inhibition of cell proliferation is dependent on the concentration of hypericin used and the dose of light required to photoactivate the compound. Induction of apoptosis is, in part, one mechanism by which photoactivated hypericin inhibits malignant T cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- F E Fox
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104, USA
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Vandenbogaerde AL, Delaey EM, Vantieghem AM, Himpens BE, Merlevede WJ, Witte PA. Cytotoxicity and Antiproliferative Effect of Hypericin and Derivatives after Photosensitization. Photochem Photobiol 1998. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-1097.1998.tb05174.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Piperopoulos G, Lotz R, Wixforth A, Schmierer T, Zeller KP. Determination of naphthodianthrones in plant extracts from Hypericum perforatum L. by liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry. JOURNAL OF CHROMATOGRAPHY. B, BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES AND APPLICATIONS 1997; 695:309-16. [PMID: 9300867 DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4347(97)00188-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The determination of the naphthodianthrone constituents in extracts of dried blossoms of Hypericum perforatum L. by combined HPLC-electrospray mass spectrometry is described. Hypericin (1), pseudohypericin (2) and their precursor compounds produce intensive negative quasi-molecular ions by deprotonation provided a non-acidic eluent system is used in the HPLC separation. From the [M-H]- ions formed in the electrospray ionization process characteristic daughter ion spectra can be obtained by collisional activation which have been studied by tandem mass spectrometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Piperopoulos
- Eberhard-Karls-Universität, Institut für Organische Chemie, Tübingen, Germany
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Kerb R, Brockmöller J, Staffeldt B, Ploch M, Roots I. Single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of hypericin and pseudohypericin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1996; 40:2087-93. [PMID: 8878586 PMCID: PMC163478 DOI: 10.1128/aac.40.9.2087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics of antivirally acting hypericin (H) and pseudohypericin (PH) were studied in 13 healthy volunteers by administration of St. John's Wort extract LI 160, a plantal antidepressant. Oral administration of 250, 750, and 1,500 micrograms of H and 526, 1,578, and 3,156 micrograms of PH resulted in median peak levels in plasma (Cmax) of 1.3, 7.2, and 16.6 micrograms/liter for H and 3.4, 12.1, and 29.7 micrograms/liter for PH, respectively. The Cmax and the area under the curve values for the lowest dose were disproportionally lower than those for the higher doses. A lag time of 1.9 h for H was remarkably longer than the 0.4-h lag time for PH. Median half-lives for absorption, distribution, and elimination were 0.6, 6.0, and 43.1 h after 750 micrograms of H and 1.3, 1.4, and 24.8 h after 1,578 micrograms of PH, respectively. Fourteen-day treatment with 250 micrograms of H and 526 micrograms of PH three times a day resulted in median steady-state trough levels of 7.9 micrograms/liter for H and 4.8 micrograms/liter for PH after 7 and 4 days, respectively; the corresponding Cssmax levels were 8.8 and 8.5 micrograms/liter, respectively. Kinetic parameters after intravenous administration of Hypericum extract (115 and 38 micrograms for H and PH, respectively) in two subjects corresponded to those estimated after an oral dosage. Both H and PH were initially distributed into a central volume of 4.2 and 5.0 liter, respectively. The mean distribution volumes at steady state were 19.7 liters for H and 39.3 liters for PH, and the mean total clearance rates were 9.2 ml/min for H and 43.3 ml/min for PH. The systemic availability of H and PH from LI 160 was roughly estimated to be 14 and 21%, respectively. Treatment with Hypericum extract, even in high doses, was well tolerated.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Kerb
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Clinic Charité, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany
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Papageorgiou GC, Alygizaki-Zorba A, Loukas S, Brody SS. Photodynamic effects of hypericin on photosynthetic electron transport and fluorescence of Anacystis nidulans (Synechococcus 6301). PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH 1996; 48:221-226. [PMID: 24271302 DOI: 10.1007/bf00041012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/1995] [Accepted: 12/06/1995] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the photodynamic action of hypericin, a natural naphthodianthrone, on photosynthetic electron transport and fluorescence of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans (Synechococcus 6301). The most drastic effect was the inactivation of photosynthetic oxygen evolution in the presence of the electron acceptor phenyl-p-benzoquinone in aerobic cells which required 1 hypericin/5 chlorophyll a for half-maximal effect. Anaerobic A. nidulans was only partially inactivated and variable chlorophyll a fluorescence remained unperturbed suggesting that photoreaction center II was not a target. Further, hypericin, stimulated photoinduced oxygen uptake in the presence of methylviologen in aerobic cells. This action was less specific than the inactivation of oxygen evolution (1 hypericin/0.5-0.7 chlorophyll a for half-maximal effect). Results point to the involvement of molecular oxygen in two ways. Type I mechanism (Henderson BW and Dougherty TJ (1992) Photochem Photobiol 55: 145-157) in which ground state oxygen reacts with excited substrate triplets appears probable for the inactivation of oxygen evolution. On the other hand, Type II mechanism in which excited oxygen singlets react with ground state substrate molecules appears probable in the stimulation of methylviologen mediated oxygen uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- G C Papageorgiou
- Institute of Biology, National Research Center Demokritos, 153 10, Athens, Greece
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Micali G, Lanuzza F, Currò P. High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of the biologically active principle hypericin in phytotherapeutic vegetable extracts and alcoholic beverages. J Chromatogr A 1996; 731:336-9. [PMID: 8646329 DOI: 10.1016/0021-9673(95)01222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Hypericin was determined using an RP C18 (3 microns) column 8.3 x 0.4 cm I.D.), thermostated at 50 degrees C. The separation was achieved with programmed elution using phosphate buffer (pH 7)-methanol (3:7) and watermethanol (3:7) as eluents. Fluorimetric detection was carried out with excitation at 470 nm and emission at 590 nm. The analytical sample was prepared by simple dilution in methanol of the phytotherapeutic extract or of the alcoholic beverage. Hypericin can be rapidly and accurately determined at concentrations down to 0.1 mg/kg without any interferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Micali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Merceologiche, Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy
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Lavie G, Mazur Y, Lavie D, Meruelo D. The chemical and biological properties of hypericin--a compound with a broad spectrum of biological activities. Med Res Rev 1995; 15:111-9. [PMID: 7739292 DOI: 10.1002/med.2610150203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- G Lavie
- Department of Pathology, NYU Medical Center, New York 10016, USA
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48
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49
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Staffeldt B, Kerb R, Brockmöller J, Ploch M, Roots I. Pharmacokinetics of hypericin and pseudohypericin after oral intake of the hypericum perforatum extract LI 160 in healthy volunteers. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 1994; 7 Suppl 1:S47-53. [PMID: 7857509 DOI: 10.1177/089198879400700113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin derived from St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum, LI 160, Lichtwer Pharma GmbH, Berlin) were studied in 12 healthy male subjects. After a single oral dose of 300, 900, or 1800 mg of dried hypericum extract (250, 750, or 1500 micrograms hypericin and 526, 1578, or 3156 micrograms pseudohypericin), plasma levels were measured with a modified highly sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method (lower detection limit 0.1 ng/mL) up to 3 days. The median maximal plasma levels were 1.5, 4.1, and 14.2 ng/mL for hypericin and 2.7, 11.7, and 30.6 ng/mL for pseudohypericin, respectively, for the three doses given above (interim evaluation of four volunteers). The median elimination half-life times of hypericin were 24.8 to 26.5 hours, and varied for pseudohypericin from 16.3 to 36.0 hours. Ranging between 2.0 to 2.6 hours, the median lag-time of absorption was remarkably prolonged for hypericin when compared to pseudohypericin (0.3 to 1.1 hours). The areas under the curves (AUC) showed a nonlinear increase with raising dose; this effect was statistically significant for hypericin. During long-term dosing (3 x 300 mg/day), a steady-state was reached after 4 days. Mean maximal plasma level during the steady-state treatment was 8.5 ng/mL for hypericin and 5.8 ng/mL for pseudohypericin, while mean trough levels were 5.3 ng/mL for hypericin and 3.7 ng/mL for pseudohypericin. In spite of their structural similarities there are substantial pharmacokinetic differences between hypericin and pseudohypericin.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Staffeldt
- Institut für Klinische Pharmakologie, Universitätsklinikum Charité Berlin, Germany
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50
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Couldwell WT, Gopalakrishna R, Hinton DR, He S, Weiss MH, Law RE, Apuzzo ML, Law RE. Hypericin: a potential antiglioma therapy. Neurosurgery 1994; 35:705-9; discussion 709-10. [PMID: 7808614 DOI: 10.1227/00006123-199410000-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypericin, a polycyclic aromatic dione isolated from plants, is presently being clinically evaluated as an antiviral agent in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In addition, it is known to be a potent protein kinase C inhibitor. To evaluate its potential as an inhibitor of glioma growth, an established (U87) and low-passage glioma line (93-492) were treated with hypericin in tissue culture for a period of 48 hours after passage. Hypericin inhibited the glioma growth in a dose-related manner, with a marked inhibition of growth in the low-micromolar concentration range (e.g., in line U87 and low-passage line 93-492, a concentration of hypericin of 10 mumol/L produced 62 and 76% decreases in [3H]thymidine uptake, respectively). Because the reported inhibitory effects of protein kinase C are enhanced by visible light, [3H]thymidine uptake was measured in both the presence and the absence of visible light. In glioma line A172, the presence of light slightly increased the inhibitory effect of hypericin. Moreover, an apoptosis (i.e., programmed cell death) assay was performed to determine whether the treatment of glioma cells with hypericin was cytostatic or cytocidal. Cells were harvested, and purified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA from cells treated with hypericin for 48 hours exhibited a classical "ladder" pattern of oligonucleosome-sized fragments characteristic of apoptosis. These data suggest that the proven safe drug hypericin may have potential as an antiglioma agent; we suggest clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- W T Couldwell
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles
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