Saint John's Wort

Saint John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum, is a shrubby perennial Herb with leaves that are covered with transparent oil glands that appear like holes. The botanical parts of the plant used in herbal medicine are the leaves and flowers. The most important active ingredients in Saint John’s Wort are Hypericin and hyperforin. They act on chemical messengers in the nervous system that regulate mood. Saint John’s Wort is native to Europe and is commonly found in the US and Canada.

Enzymes

 Saint John’s Wort may increase the production/activity of the CYP3A4 Cytochrome P-450 enzyme.  ^[1]

Hormones

        Saint John’s Wort may increase the night-time release of Melatonin from the Pineal Gland.  ^[2]

Neurotransmitters

 Saint John’s Wort may increase the release of Acetylcholine from the Hippocampus due to the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort. 

 Saint John’s Wort inhibits the reuptake of Dopamine in the Brain which leads to increased Dopamine levels and Dopamine activity.  This occurs from the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort.  ^[3]

 Saint John’s Wort inhibits the reuptake of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) (GABA) which leads to increased GABA levels and GABA activity.  This occurs from the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort.  ^[4]

 Saint John’s Wort inhibits the reuptake of Norepinephrine which leads to increased Norepinephrine levels and  Norepinephrine activity.  This occurs from the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort.  ^[5]

 Saint John’s Wort increases the Brain’s content of Serotonin Saint John’s Wort functions in a similar fashion to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac in that it inhibits the reuptake of Serotonin by 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptors. This mechanism is partially responsible for Saint John’s Wort’s ability to alleviate Depression.  This occurs from the Hyperforin content of Saint John’s Wort.  ^[6]