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Pharmacopsychiatry 2001; 34(Suppl1): 98-102
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15512
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Hyperforin -
Antidepressant Activity by a Novel Mechanism of Action

W. E. Müller, A. Singer, M. Wonnemann
  • Department of Pharmacology, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt/M., Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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Hyperforin represents a major antidepressive constituent of St. John’s wort (SJW) extract. It not only inhibits the neuronal uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine like many other antidepressants, but also inhibits GABA and L-glutamate uptake. This broad-spectrum effect is obtained by an elevation of the intracellular Na+ concentration, probably due to activation of sodium conductive pathways not yet finally identified but most likely ionic channels. This makes hyperforin the first member of a new class of compounds with a preclinical antidepressant profile due to a completely novel mechanism of action.

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Prof. Dr. W. E. Müller

Department of Pharmacology
Biocenter, University of Frankfurt

Marie-Curie-Straße 9

D-60439 Frankfurt/M.

Germany