Pharmacopsychiatry 2000; 33(1): 14-18
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-8449
Original Paper
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ·New York

Effect of Acute Administration of Hypericum Perforatum-CO2 Extract on Dopamine and Serotonin Release in the Rat Central Nervous System

V. Di Matteo, G. Di Giovanni, M. Di Mascio, E. Esposito
  • Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’, Consorzio ‘Mario Negri’ Sud, Santa Maria Imbaro (Chieti), Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

 

The hydromethanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum has been shown to be an effective antidepressant, although its mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, in vivo microdialysis was used to investigate the effects of Hypericum perforatum-CO2 extract on dopamine (DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) release in various areas of brain. Administration of Hypericum perforatum extract (1 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a slight, but significant increase of DA outflow both in the nucleus accumbens and the striatum. The maximal increase of DA efflux (+ 19.22 ± 1.93 %, relative to the control group) in the nucleus accumbens occurred 100 min after administration of Hypericum perforatum. In the striatum, the extract maximally enhanced DA outflow (+ 24.83 ± 7.49 %, relative to the control group) 80 min after administration. Extraneuronal DOPAC levels were not significantly affected by Hypericum perforatum treatment. Moreover, Hypericum perforatum (1 mg/kg, p. o.) did not produce any significant effect on either 5-HT or 5-HIAA efflux in the ventral hippocampus. This study shows for the first time that Hypericum perforatum extract is capable of increasing in vivo DA release.

References

Dr. Ennio Esposito

Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche ‘Mario Negri’ Consorzio ‘Mario Negri’ Sud

66030 Santa Maria Imbaro (Chieti)

Italy

Email: Esposito@cmns.mnegri.it