Search Results (91)

Synthetic anthelmintic drugs not only contribute to the development of pathogen resistance and environmental pollution but also to the development of pathogen resistance. Therefore, identifying the anthelmintic properties of widely used medicinal plants could be of great practical interest to veterinary and human medicine. In our experiment, we evaluated the in vitro survivability of the noninvasive and invasive (L_1–2 and L_3, respectively) larvae of Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus subject to aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures of traditional medicinal plants (46 species). Most of the plant species we studied belonged to the families Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Bidens tripartita, Calendula officinalis, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Echinacea purpurea, Helichrysum arenarium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Silybum marianum, Tanacetum vulgare, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon porrifolius), Rosaceae (Agrimonia eupatoria, Fragaria vesca, Sanguisorba officinalis), and Lamiaceae (Leonurus cardiaca, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris). Other plant families were represented by 1–3 species: Fabaceae (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedysarum alpinum, Trifolium pratense), Salicaceae (Populus nigra, P. tremula, Salix alba), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Betulaceae (Betula pendula), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Rhamnaceae (Frangula alnus), Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Apiaceae (Foeniculum vulgare), Caprifoliaceae (Valeriana officinalis), Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbita pepo), Equisetaceae (Equisetum arvense), Ericaceae (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Malvaceae (Althaea officinalis), Plantaginaceae (Linaria vulgaris, Plantago major), Poaceae (Zea mays), Polygonaceae (Polygonum aviculare), and Ranunculaceae (Nigella sativa). We determined Artemisia absinthium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, and Populus nigra, whose aqueous solutions of alcohol tinctures demonstrated nematocidal properties. The other plants we studied did not affect the viability of parasitic nematode larvae. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypericum perforatum L. (H. perforatum), commonly known as St. John’s wort, has been widely used in clinical practice to treat mental disorders. Previous studies and clinical applications have primarily focused on its alcohol-soluble ingredients. Our research was designed to investigate the physicochemical properties, antidepressant-like effects, and anti-post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like effects of the alcohol-insoluble polysaccharide-rich ingredients from H. perforatum. Meanwhile, the underlying mechanisms were elucidated. Methods: The physicochemical properties of two polysaccharide-rich ingredients, designated as HPP1 and HPP2, were characterized using colorimetric assay, capillary electrophoresis, high-performance gel permeation chromatography, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Behavioral despair tests were conducted to rapidly assess and compare their antidepressant-like effects in mice. Subsequently, behavioral despair mice and foot-shock mice were established to thoroughly explore the impact of HPP2 on depression-like and PTSD-like symptoms. The effects of HPP2 on cerebral pathological changes, neurotrophic factors, and gut microbiota in foot-shock mice were detected through hematoxylin & eosin staining, immunofluorescence staining, and 16S rDNA (V3 + V4 regions) gene sequencing. Results: HPP1 and HPP2 are predominantly composed of arabinose, glucose, galactose, mannose, and galacturonic acid. The molecular weight distribution of HPP1 ranges from 1133 to 67,278 Da, whereas that of HPP2 extends from 1493 to 38,407 Da. Acute pre-treatment with HPP1 or HPP2 (200 mg/kg, i.g.) could reduce mice’s immobility in behavioral despair tests, with HPP2 exhibiting superior efficacy. Additionally, both acute and sub-chronic pre-treatment with HPP2 (50, 200, and 800 mg/kg, i.g.) effectively alleviated depression-like symptoms in behavioral despair mice. Prolonged pre-treatment with HPP2 (200 mg/kg, i.g.) also mitigated the slow increase in body weight and behavioral abnormalities in foot-shock mice. Furthermore, HPP2 (200 mg/kg) successfully restored hippocampal histomorphological abnormalities, neurotrophic disturbance, and dysregulation of the gut microbiota in foot-shock mice. Conclusions: HPP2 exerts noteworthy antidepressant-like and anti-PTSD-like impact in mouse models via multiple targets, indicating a potential therapeutic candidate in depression and PTSD therapy. Full article

Hypericum perforatum callus and shoot cultures were investigated for biomass production, phenolic compounds and naphthodianthrone biosynthesis, as well antioxidant activities upon elicitation with jasmonic acid (JA). Calli and shoots elicited with 50 and 100 μM JA had comparable or better fresh biomass production, while application of 250 μM JA displayed growth suppression effect. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols contents in JA-elicited calli were correlated to increased activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) and chalcone isomerase (CHI). In contrast, PAL and CHI activities in shoots were not significantly related to phenolic compound production, suggesting that JA up-regulated distinct phenylpropanoid/flavonoid pathways. Exogenous application of 250 μM JA was selected as an efficient elicitor dose for enhanced production of hypericin and pseudohypericin in both cultures. Calli and shoots showed an early response to JA elicitation through significant enhancement of non-enzymatic antioxidant properties due to accumulation of phenolic compounds. Concerning antioxidant enzymes, it was shown that up-regulated peroxidase activity in calli and catalase activity in shoots had a pivotal importance in cells’ protection against JA-mediated oxidative stress. Outgoing results indicated that elicitation of H. perforatum callus and shoot cultures with JA represents a promising biotechnological approach for production of bioactive metabolites with medicinal properties. Full article

(1) Background: Medicinal plants are widely used in folk medicine. Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John’s wort) is a medicinal plant that is used domestically and exported to other countries. This study addresses the need to develop methods for determining the composition and content of St. John’s wort to determine its biological activity. (2) Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an Electrochemical Detector (ECD) and a Photodiode Array Detector (PDA) was employed to identify and quantify major phenolic compounds—gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, hyperoside, quercetin, and hyperforin—in extracted and lyophilized St. John’s wort flower; stem; and leaf samples. Key analytes exhibited linear responses across both detection systems, within a quantification range of 0.5–10 µg/mL. (3) Results: The PDA method, validated according to ICH Q2(R1) guidelines, demonstrated specificity, linearity, precision, and accuracy, with limits of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.24 to 0.61 µg/mL and limits of quantification (LOQ) between 0.26 and 0.62 µg/mL. PDA effectively identified gallic acid, epicatechin, hyperoside, quercetin, and hyperforin, although catechin was not detected. ECD yielded comparable compound levels across the samples. (4) Conclusions: The novelty of this study lies in identifying the influence of climatic factors associated with the altitude at which St. John’s wort is grown on the content and ratio of biologically active components. Overall, the chemometric approach demonstrates the utility of raw chromatographic data in distinguishing samples by plant part and geographic origin; even when traditional compound-based comparisons may be limited. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anxiety, agitation, and mood disturbances are increasingly common among children and adolescents. Given the limitations of conventional pharmacological treatments in the pediatric population, particularly for subthreshold or mild conditions, interest in complementary approaches such as phytotherapy is growing. This review aims to critically evaluate the clinical evidence supporting the use of herbal medicines and botanical food supplements for mental health symptoms in youths and to explore the pharmacological basis of their activity. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across main databases for clinical trials involving herbal products for psychologically related symptoms in children and adolescents. Eligible studies included those using registered herbal medicines, as well as authorized food supplements, that evaluated behavioral or cognitive outcomes. In addition, bioinformatic analyses were performed on selected phytocompounds to predict their molecular targets. Results: Twenty-nine clinical trials were identified, including eighteen targeting pathological conditions (notably attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and depression) and eleven addressing borderline symptoms such as nervous agitation, restlessness, or sleep disturbances. Herbal products showing clinical promise include Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Crocus sativus L., Ginkgo biloba L., Hypericum perforatum L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Melissa officinalis L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Passiflora incarnata L., Pinus pinaster Aiton, Valeriana officinalis L., and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. Bioinformatic predictions revealed polypharmacological activity profiles involving neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and neurotransmitter-related pathways. Conclusions: This review highlights both the potential and the current limitations of herbal products in pediatric mental health care. Evidence supports their use for selected indications, provided that standardized preparations and clinical oversight are ensured. Further research is essential, particularly to inform dosing, safety, and integrative care strategies. Full article

The limited data on biological potential of the genus Hypericum sect. Drosocarpium species initiated the current research aimed at the chemical characterization of samples of six selected taxa (H. barbatum, H. montbretii, H. richerii subsp. grisebachii, H. rochelii, H. rumeliacum, and H. spruneri) and the evaluation of their biological potential (antioxidant and antihyperglycaemic potential, acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidases inhibition). The obtained results suggest greater abundance of biologically active compounds, hypericin (H. rochelii, H. barbatum, and H. richerii subsp. grisebachii), amentoflavone (H. richerii subsp. grisebachii), quercetin and rutin (H. richerii subsp. grisebachii), and chlorogenic acid (H. richerii subsp. grisebachii, H. barbatum, H. rumeliacum), when compared to H. perforatum. Also, the scavenging potential of DPPH (median RSC₅₀ = 3.34 µg/mL), NO (median RSC₅₀ = 26.47 µg/mL) and OH radicals (median RSC₅₀ = 76.87 µg/mL) of evaluated species was higher, or at least comparable to H. perforatum, while the same trend was noticed in the case of anti-MAO-A (median IC₅₀ = 19.41 µg/mL) and antihyperglycaemic potential (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase (median IC₅₀ = 29.47 µg/mL)). The study results highlight sect. Drosocarpium species as a valuable source of biologically active secondary metabolites and suggest a wide spectrum of possible applications in the food and medicine industries. Full article

This study evaluated biomass accumulation and phenolic compound production in seven Hypericum species (H. androsaemum, H. calycinum, H. hirsutum, H. kalmianum, H. olympicum, H. perforatum, and H. triquetrifolium) cultivated in vitro under varying growth regulator treatments and culture periods. Shoots were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) or meta-topoline (mT) and analyzed after 40 and 60 days. MS medium supplemented with 0.2 mg/L BA was the most effective condition for promoting biomass across all species, with shoot fresh weight increasing significantly at 60 days, particularly in H. olympicum, H. perforatum, and H. triquetrifolium. High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS) identified 13 phenolic compounds, including flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acids, anthocyanins, phloroglucinols, and naphthodianthrones. Phenolic profiles were species-specific and influenced by culture period. H. kalmianum accumulated the highest total phenolic content (37.6 mg/g DW), while H. olympicum was the top producer of hypericin and pseudohypericin. These results highlight the crucial role of culture conditions in regulating both biomass and phytochemical production and provide a promising approach for producing bioactive metabolites in Hypericum species through in vitro systems. Full article

We report the development of a procedure for ultrasound-assisted microscale extraction of metabolites from the flowers of Saint John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.), designed for comparative metabolite analysis of plants from genetic resource collections and natural and segregating populations. The procedure involves high-throughput methanol extraction of metabolites from ground-frozen flowers at a selected stage of flower development, which is carried out in a standard 2 mL Eppendorf tube. A total of 18 compounds, including chlorogenic acid, catechins, glycosylated flavonoids, hypericins, and hyperforin, were identified based on LC/DAD/QTOF analysis, of which 16 could be detected in the UV-Vis spectrum. Two alternative versions of the procedure were evaluated: the “single-flower” procedure, including repeated collection and analysis of single flowers from the tested plant, and the “bulk-flower” procedure, employing the collection of a bulk flower sample from the tested plant and analysis of a portion of the ground sample. The results showed excellent technical reproducibility of the “single-flower” procedure when used with the suggested combination of the peak areas for the proto- and stable forms of pseudohypericin and hypericin. Application of the developed “single-flower” procedure for comparison of the plants derived from seed progeny of the apomictic line Hp93 revealed significantly lower metabolite variation among the apomictic progeny plants compared to the variation observed among plants belonging to different genotypes. Full article

Hypericum perforatum L. (H.P.), a plant renowned for its wound-healing properties, was investigated for antioxidant/antimicrobial efficacy, toxicological safety, and in vivo wound-healing effects in this research to develop and characterize novel nanoemulsion hydrogel (NG) formulations. NG were prepared via emulsion diffusion–solvent evaporation and polymer hydration using Cremophor RH40 and Ultrez 21/30. A D-optimal design optimized oil/surfactant ratios, considering particle size, PDI, and drug loading. Antioxidant activity was tested via DPPH, ABTS⁺, and FRAP. Toxicological assessment followed HET-CAM (ICH-endorsed) and ICCVAM guidelines. The optimized NG-2 (NE-HPM-10 + U30 0.5%) demonstrated stable and pseudoplastic flow, with a particle size of 174.8 nm, PDI of 0.274, zeta potential of −23.3 mV, and 99.83% drug loading. Release followed the Korsmeyer–Peppas model. H.P. macerates/NEs showed potent antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 28.4 µg/mL; FRAP: 1.8 mmol, Fe²⁺/g: 0.3703 ± 0.041 mM TE/g). Antimicrobial effects against methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MIC: 12.5 µg/mL) and E. coli (MIC: 25 µg/mL) were significant. Stability studies showed no degradation. HET-CAM tests confirmed biocompatibility. Histopathology revealed accelerated re-epithelialization/collagen synthesis, with upregulated TGF-β1. The NG-2 formulation demonstrated robust antioxidant, antimicrobial, and wound-healing efficacy. Enhanced antibacterial activity and biocompatibility highlight its therapeutic potential. Clinical/pathological evaluations validated tissue regeneration without adverse effects, positioning H.P.-based nanoemulsions as promising for advanced wound care. Full article

This study aimed to examine wild-growing Hypericum perforatum L. tea (Hyperici herba) collected from Rtanj Mountain (Serbia). This research includes the following approaches: phytochemical and antioxidant characterization of H. perforatum infusion tea to determine its realistic composition (What do we consume when drinking the tea?), as well as a detailed examination of methanol(ic) extracts as the optimal extraction system. Due to the broad spectrum of both polar and nonpolar metabolites, 80% methanolic and pure methanol extracts were prepared for ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-ToF) characterization through untargeted metabolomics analysis. Given the high diversity of compounds identified, the 80% methanolic extract was selected for further antioxidant examination and bioautographic characterization, including an antimicrobial activity assessment. UHPLC Q-ToF analysis identified 35 phenolics in the methanolic extract, compared to 25 metabolites in the infusion tea. The main differences were observed in flavonol/flavan-3-ol aglycones, xantones, and coumestans, which are more nonpolar compounds found only in the methanol(ic) system. Notably, specific H. perforatum metabolites were entirely absent in the infusion tea. Specifically, pseudohypericin, pseudoprotohypricin, and adhyperfirin were detected in the pure methanol extract, whereas hyperfirin was present in both methanol(ic) extracts. Additionally, eight furano-polycyclic polyprenylated acilphloroglucinols (FPPAPs) were identified in the methanol(ic) extracts as possible products of the thermal degradation and/or oxidation of hypericin/hyperforin. Both the infusion tea and methanolic extracts exhibited excellent antioxidant properties, with variations depending on the applied assay. High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis also confirmed the presence of a wide spectrum of phytochemical classes. Bioautography confirmed a promising activity of methanolic extracts against both Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Full article

α-Tocopherol (α-T) predominates in photosynthetic tissues, while tocotrienols (T3s) are reported very rarely. The genus Hypericum stands out as one of the few exceptions. Given the potential health benefits associated with tocotrienols, sourcing them from natural origins is of interest. The proper selection of plant material and the drying conditions are crucial steps in this process. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of four different drying techniques (freeze-drying, microwave–vacuum-, infrared oven and air-drying) on the tocochromanol content in leaves of three Hypericum species: H. androsaemum, H. pseudohenryi, and H. hookerianum and one hybrid H. × inodorum. The total tocochromanol content in the freeze-dried leaves harvested in September was 68.1–150.6 mg/100 g dry weight. α-T constituted 66.7–85.9% (w/w), while tocotrienols constituted 13–32% (w/w). H. pseudohenryi was characterized by the lowest tocotrienol content, while H. androsaemum and H. hookerianum had the highest, with δ-T3 and γ-T3, respectively, being predominant. Tocotrienols were more stable during drying than α-T. The greatest decrease in α-T content was observed during air-drying in the presence of sunlight, with a 27% difference compared to the absence of sunlight. The species and harvest time are factors that more strongly affect the tocotrienol content in the Hypericum leaves than the selected drying method. Full article

Hypericum perforatum L. (St John’s wort) has been widely studied and used for antidepressant treatment, as well as, rarely, featuring in studies on its chemical composition for Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment. Five new nor-prenylated acylphloroglucinols with a cyclohexanone core, norperforatums A–E (1–5), together with four known analogs [(2R,3R,4S,6R)-3-methyl-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-(2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohexanone (6), hyperscabrin B (7), (2R,3R,4S,6R)-6-methoxycarbonyl-3-methyl-4,6-di(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-(2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-3-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)cyclohexanone (8), and hyperscabin K (9)], were isolated from the aerial parts of H. perforatum. The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were characterized by multiple spectroscopic means, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS), ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy (UV), infrared spectroscopy (IR), calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data, and X-ray signal crystal diffraction. In addition, the efficacy of these isolations was evaluated against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD in zebrafish larvae. Compound 9 had the best therapeutic effect, by significantly increasing the total distance traveled and the mean speed of movement in PD dyskinesia zebrafish larvae. Moreover, it enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that compound 9 may have ameliorative effects on PD symptoms by inhibiting oxidative stress. This study provides new insights into the treatment of H. perforatum for PD. Full article

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) has been extensively utilized across various traditional medicinal systems, including ancient Greek medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, and Islamic medicine. H. perforatum is a well-known medicinal plant due to the presence of hypericin and hyperforin, which are natural antidepressants. Recent studies indicate that the inflorescences of wild H. perforatum are a source of rare tocotrienols, primarily δ-T3. Similar studies are lacking for cultivated species. H. perforatum was grown for three years. At full bloom each year, the plant was cut and separated into its parts: stems, leaves, flower buds, and flowers. Tocotrienols (T3s) were present in each part of the H. perforatum. The lowest concentration of tocotrienols was recorded in stems and the highest in flower buds (1.7–4.2 and 88.2–104.7 mg/100 g dry weight, respectively). Flower buds and flowers were the main source of α-T3 and δ-T3 tocotrienols. The plant part has a significant impact on the tocochromanol profile and concentration, while the year of harvest/plant aging does not. The present study demonstrates that cultivated H. perforatum flower heads are the first known flowers with relatively high concentrations of tocotrienols. St. John’s wort flower buds accumulate tocotrienols over tocopherols, regardless of the year of the plant. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to gain insights into the antimicrobial and antiherpetic activity of hyperforin-rich Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) extract using nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) as delivery platforms. Methods: Two established NLC specimens, comprising glyceryl behenate and almond oil or borage oil, and their extract-loaded counterparts (HP-NLCs) were utilized. Their minimal bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations (MBC; MFC) were investigated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The anti-herpesvirus (HSV-1) potential was evaluated concerning antiviral and virucidal activity and impact on viral adsorption. Results: The borage oil-based extract-loaded nanodispersion (HP-NLC2) exhibited pronounced microbicidal activity against S. aureus (MBC 6.3 mg/mL), K. pneumoniae (MBC 97.7 µg/mL), and C. albicans (MFC < 48.8 µg/mL), unlike the almond oil-containing sample (HP-NLC1), which showed only weak inhibition of the fungal growth. HP-NLC2 was found to be less cytotoxic and to suppress HSV-1 replication slightly more than HP-NLC1, but generally, the effects were weak. Neither the empty lipid nanoparticles nor the HP extract-loaded carriers expressed activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, the HSV-1 extracellular virions, or viral adhesion. Conclusions: It could be concluded that both HP-NLC samples revealed only minor antiherpetic potential of the hyperforin-rich extract, but HP-NLC2 demonstrated significant antibacterial and antimycotic activity. Therefore, the latter was featured as a more convenient HP-carrier system for nano-designed dermal pharmaceutical formulations. Such a thorough investigation of hyperforin-determined anti-HSV-1 effects and antibacterial and antimycotic properties, being the first of its kind, contributes to the fundamental knowledge of HP and reveals new perspectives for the utilization, limitations, and therapeutic designation of its non-polar components. Full article