Hypericin and its close chemical relative pseudohypericin are the active ingredients found in St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L). The German name “Johanniskraut” is derived from its blossom time around St. John’s Day, the 24th day of June.

The medicinal use of the extracts has been used as a natural remedy since ancient times. External use of the red oil extracted from hypericum flowers has been reported to promote wound healing in burns. For internal use, tea preparations from the extracts are used to treat mild states of excitation and depressed mood. Research has now shown that hypericin is also an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorders (SAD).

Modern pharmaceutical control of brain serotonin levels is the mechanism of action of the most commonly prescribed drugs used in the treatment of depression. Now about 40 active pharmaceutical antidepressants are marketed which include the MAO inhibitors and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s). Prozac is an example of an SSRI, which prevents the “presynaptic” nerve from reabsorbing serotonin that it has previously secreted. By inhibiting this normal process, Prozac causes an increase in brain serotonin levels and a non-narcotic anti-depressant effect. Although, the underlying pharmacologic mechanism of action of hypericin and pseudohypericin remains unclear, hypericins seem to accomplish the same results. It should be noted that unlike the classic SSRI’s, which bind the neurotransmitter, hypericins might “block” the entry point, leading to an increased level of serotonin and also offer a mild inhibition of MAO causing the antidepressant effect.

Antidepressant effects of hypericin have been confirmed in several clinical studies that have compared this compound to placebo as well as standard antidepressants. One of the most important features of the use of hypericin is that side effects are rarely observed and allergic reactions are rare. This benign side effect profile makes hypericin a particularly attractive choice for treating mild-to-moderate depressions. The current heightened interest in plant based drugs can be understood against this background.

Following the publication of the first scientific reports of hypericin’s anti-viral properties, a number of people began to try various forms of St. Johns Wort against HIV. The use of these products did not bring about the hoped-for dramatic health benefits and long-term improvement of T4 cell numbers. Because of these disappointing experiences with St. Johns Wort, many people lost interest in hypericin. Ongoing scientific studies, however, have continued to document hypericin’s antiviral effectiveness against numerous viruses. The lackluster showing of early hypericin-containing products may be solely attributed to the extremely small amounts of hypericins they actually contained. Hypericin is now in the second stage of clinical testing in humans with AIDS and hepatitis and the reports are very promising. Doctors in Germany and the US have reported that the use of hypericin greatly extended the life of some AIDS patients. When tried with hepatitis patients, the virus disappeared altogether!

St. Johns Wort herb is typically sold in capsules containing 300 mg standardized extract of .3% hypericins. Of the two methods employed to obtain potency, HPLC and UV spectrum, the former (HPLC) assays out at .1% and the latter (UV) at .3%. The UV method measures a broad class of compounds known as dianthrone’s of which the hypericins are only one. The UV method is, therefore, an inaccurate measure of hypericin.

In 1991 Ultra Technologies produced the first domestic, high potency extract of hypericin which contain the 900 mcg per capsule that has been shown to benefit in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. LifeLink, the exclusive distributor, now offers the same high quality hypericin extract to the health supplement market for use as both an anti-viral and anti-depressant agent.