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
