In vitro receptor screening of pure constituents of St. John's wort reveals novel interactions with a number of GPCRs

RATIONALE: Hypericum perforatum L. (St. John's wort; SJW) is one of the leading psychotherapeutic phytomedicines and great effort has been devoted to clarifying its mechanism of action. OBJECTIVE: We have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of several pure compounds isolated from the crude extract to gain further insight into the molecular actions of various substituents of SJW. METHODS: We characterized the in vitro pharmacology of the naphthodianthrones hypericin and pseudohypericin, the phloroglucinol derivative hyperforin, and several flavonoids at 42 biogenic amine receptors and transporters using the resources of the National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program. RESULTS: The biflavonoid amentoflavone significantly inhibited binding at serotonin (5-HT(1D), 5-HT(2C)), D(3)-dopamine, delta-opiate, and benzodiazepine receptors. The naphthodianthrone hypericin had significant activity at D(3)- and D(4)-dopamine receptors and beta-adrenergic receptors. With the exception of the D(1)-dopamine receptor, the phloroglucinol derivative hyperforin was less active than other SJW constituents tested on all screened receptors. CONCLUSION: Our present in vitro data clearly show that several pure substances in SJW are potential CNS psychoactive agents and may contribute to the antidepressant efficacy of the plant in a complex manner. Our data also reveal novel and heretofore unexpected interactions of pure compounds in SJW at a number of GPCRs, transporters, and ion channels. We hypothesize that additive or synergistic actions of different single compounds may be responsible for the antidepressant efficacy of SJW. These results and this general approach may impact our understanding of phytomedicines in general and H. perforatum specifically.     

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). A plant with relevance for dermatology

Saint John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is a herbal remedy that is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. In traditional folk medicine, oily extracts of St. John's wort are used for topical treatment of wounds, burns and myalgia. The lipophilic phloroglucin-derivative hyperforin has antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects. These effects could be of relevance in topical treatment of infected wounds and other dermatoses, but no studies have been conducted so far. The naphtodianthrone hypericin is a photodtodynamic active substance that kills tumor cells via the induction of apoptosis. Hypericin also displays antiviral activity in vitro. In vivo, intravenous or oral treatment with hypericin of HIV-infected subjects did not result in a reduction of the virus load. Most of the patients treated with hypericin experienced phototoxicity. Similar phototoxic symptoms ("hypericism") have been observed in grazing animals ingesting large amounts of St. John's wort. In contrast, antidepressant medication with St. John's wort usually does not produce phototoxic symptoms. Recent pharmacokinetic studies suggest that the phototoxic threshold level of hypericin is not reached with dosages used for the oral treatment of depression. However, very recent reports demonstrated interactions of St. John's wort with other drugs such as digoxin, indinavir and cyclosporin. Blood levels of these drugs were dramatically decreased by St. John's wort. This should be considered in the treatment of skin conditions with antiviral drugs or cyclosporin.     

Antagonist effect of pseudohypericin at CRF1 receptors

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) is widely used for the treatment of mild to moderately severe depression. However, the nature of its active principles and the exact mode of antidepressant action are still unknown. It has been suggested repeatedly in preclinical and clinical studies that the content of the acylphloroglucinol hyperforin decisively contributes to the antidepressant efficacy of St. John's wort extracts. Experimental studies in vivo also indicate that the naphthodianthrone hypericin may reduce the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Exacerbated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity has often been associated with depressive states in patients. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) seems to be a major determinant in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activity via activation of CRF(1) receptors. In the present study, we investigated the CRF(1) receptor antagonist activity of three main constituents of St. John's wort (hypericin, pseudohypericin and hyperforin) by measuring their effect on CRF-stimulated cAMP formation in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. As a selectivity test, the compounds were also tested against calcitonin in the same cells. Of the three compounds tested, only pseudohypericin selectively antagonised CRF (K(B) 0.76 microM). Hypericin and hyperforin affected both CRF and calcitonin with similar potencies and the same type of behaviour (competitive antagonism for hypericin, noncompetitive for hyperforin). It is concluded that pseudohypericin is the only real CRF(1) receptor antagonist of the three constituents tested. In addition, evidence is provided that beside hyperforin, both pseudohypericin and hypericin are implicated in the antidepressant efficacy of St. John's wort.     

No clinically relevant CYP3A induction after St. John’s wort with low hyperforin content in healthy volunteers

Objective  Induction of CYP3A by St. John’s wort (SJW) products with high hyperforin content is well described. Since CYP3A induction is mediated by hyperforin in a concentration-dependent manner, and SJW preparations differ significantly in hyperforin content, the aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of an SJW powder with low hyperforin content on CYP3A function. Methods  Twenty healthy male volunteers received an SJW powder with low hyperforin content for 2 weeks. Midazolam plasma concentration time profiles were characterized after a single oral dose of 7.5 mg midazolam on the day before and on the 14th day of SJW medication. Results  Midazolam AUC_0–∞ slightly decreased from 124.0 ± 62.5 ng/ml·h at baseline to 105.6 ± 53.2 ng/ml·h after SJW (P < 0.05), representing a mean 11.3% decrease (95% CI: −22.8 to 0.21). No significant change in midazolam C_max, t_1/2 and t_max was observed. For all pharmacokinetic parameters, the 90% CI for the geometric mean ratio of treatment over baseline were within the no-effect boundaries of 0.70–1.43. Conclusion  Administration of an SJW product with low hyperforin content resulted in a mild induction of CYP3A not considered clinically relevant.     

Variability in PXR-mediated induction of CYP3A4 by commercial preparations and dry extracts of St. John’s wort

St. John’s wort (SJW, Hypericum perforatum) is a well-tolerated herbal medicine widely used for the treatment of mild and moderate depressions. In the last 5 years, SJW has been implicated in drug interactions, which are largely mediated by the induction of the drug metabolizing enzymes, especially CYP3A4. There is still some controversy regarding the exact mechanism of induction and the identity of the SJW constituents involved. We investigated in LS174T cells the induction of CYP3A4 by ten SJW extracts, six commercial preparations, and the purified SJW constituent hyperforin. The content of hyperforin among the commercial preparations of SJW varied 62-fold (range 0.49–30.57 mg/dose). The CYP3A4 induction was mediated by PXR, but not by CAR. The magnitude of the induction correlated statistically significantly with the content of hyperforin in commercial SJW preparations (R = 0.87, p = 0.004) and in dry extracts (R = 0.65, p = 0.03), but not with their content of flavonoids or hypericin. Most of the CYP3A4 induction response occurred in the hyperforin range encountered in the blood of patients treated with SJW preparations. A temperature-induced decrease in the hyperforin content of a selected dry SJW extract abolished the induction of CYP3A4. In conclusion, commercial SJW preparations still exhibit an enormous variability in CYP3A4 induction, which is mediated by hyperforin and PXR. SJW preparations with lower hyperforin content should reduce the frequency of clinical interactions involving this herbal drug. This work was partly funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) grant WO505/2-2.     

St John’s wort extract (Ze 117) does not alter the pharmacokinetics of a low-dose oral contraceptive

Purpose

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is an herbal remedy that is widely used in the treatment of depression. Recent clinical data have demonstrated that St John’s wort extracts interfere with the action of various drugs and possibly also with combined oral contraceptives. Therefore, we investigated the effects of a St John’s wort extract (Ze 117) with low hyperforin content on the pharmacokinetics of ethinylestradiol and 3-ketodesogestrel.

Method

Sixteen healthy female volunteers, who had taken a low-dose oral contraceptive (Lovelle contains 0.02 mg ethinylestradiol + 0.15 mg desogestrel) for at least 3 months, participated in the study. Pharmacokinetic data (AUC, C_max, t_max) were determined the day before (reference) and after (test) a 14-day period of Ze 117 intake (250 mg twice daily).

Results

Before the co-administration of Ze 117 on day 7, the geometric mean (geometric coefficient of variation) for the AUC_0–24 of ethinylestradiol was 152.53 pg·h/ml (87.39%) and after co-administration on day 21 it was 196.57 pg·h/ml (78.14%). The respective values for ketodesogestrel were 36.37 pg·h/ml (34.18%) and 41.12 pg·h/ml (34.36%). The mean of individual ratios (reference-to-test) of log-transformed AUC values (90% confidence interval) were 0.951 (0.915–0.986) for ethinylestradiol and 0.968 (0.944–0.992) for ketodesogestrel indicating a small loss in bioavilability, but bioequivalence nevertheless.

Conclusion

These results indicate that the recommended dose of the hypericum extract Ze117, which has a low hyperforin content, does not interact with the pharmacokinetics of the hormonal components of the low-dose oral contraceptive.

     

Drug membrane transporters and CYP3A4 are affected by hypericin,hyperforin or aristoforin in colon adenocarcinoma cells

Our previous results have shown that the combination of hypericin-mediated photodynamic therapy (HY-PDT) at sub-optimal dose with hyperforin (HP) (compounds of Hypericum sp.), or its stable derivative aristoforin (AR) stimulates generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to antitumour activity. This enhanced oxidative stress evoked the need for an explanation for HY accumulation in colon cancer cells pretreated with HP or AR. Generally, the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapeutics is limited by drug resistance related to the overexpression of drug efflux transporters in tumour cells. Therefore, the impact of non-activated hypericin (HY), HY-PDT, HP and AR on cell membrane transporter systems (Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1-MRP1/ABCC1, Multidrug resistance-associated protein 2-MRP2/ABCC2, Breast cancer resistance protein – BCRP/ABCG2, P-glycoprotein-P-gp/ABCC1) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) was evaluated. The different effects of the three compounds on their expression, protein level and activity was determined under specific PDT light (T0+, T6+) or dark conditions (T0− T6−). We found that HP or AR treatment affected the protein levels of MRP2 and P-gp, whereas HP decreased MRP2 and P-gp expression mostly in the T0+ and T6+ conditions, while AR decreased MRP2 in T0− and T6+. Moreover, HY-PDT treatment induced the expression of MRP1. Our data demonstrate that HP or AR treatment in light or dark PDT conditions had an inhibitory effect on the activity of individual membrane transport proteins and significantly decreased CYP3A4 activity in HT-29 cells. We found that HP or AR significantly affected intracellular accumulation of HY in HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells. These results suggest that HY, HP and AR might affect the efficiency of anti-cancer drugs, through interaction with membrane transporters and CYP3A4.     

Ac-HF对Aβ1-42致大鼠皮质原代神经元损伤的保护作用及对α分泌酶活性的影响

目的 探讨贯叶金丝桃素乙酸酯(hyperforin acetate,Ac-HF)对β淀粉样肽(Aβ)1-42毒性损伤大鼠原代培养大脑皮层神经元的作用及对α分泌酶活性的影响及可能机制.方法 采用大鼠原代培养皮层细胞,用MTT法观察Ac-HF对Aβ1-42毒性损伤后的神经细胞活力的影响.用ELASA检测其对α分泌酶活性及可溶性淀粉样前体蛋白(sAPPα)分泌的影响,应用Western blot检其对淀粉样前体蛋白(APP)及解聚金属蛋白酶(a disintegrin and metalloproteinas,ADAM)10表达的影响;并观察Calphostin C(Cal.C)对Ac-HF这些作用的影响.结果 0.1～10.0 μmol/L Ac-HF无细胞毒性(P＞0.05),1.0～50.0 μmol/L Ac-HF可增加Aβ1-42毒性损伤的大鼠皮层神经细胞的活力(P＜0.05),0.1～10.0 μmol/L Ac-HF可使α分泌酶活性增加,sAPPα分泌增多,对APP蛋白表达无影响,使ADAM10表达增多,PKC抑制剂Calphostin C(Cal.C)可抑制Ac-HF对α分泌酶的活性,sAPPα分泌及ADAM10表达的影响.结论 1.0～10.0 μmol/L Ac-HF对Aβ1-42毒性损伤的大鼠皮层神经细胞有保护作用,Ac-HF可通过增加α分泌酶活性及sAPPα分泌产生保护作用,这一作用可能是通过激活PKC通路增加ADAM10表达.     

Hyperforin changes the zinc-storage capacities of brain cells

In vitro and in vivo experiments were carried out to investigate the consequences on brain cells of a chronic treatment with hyperforin, a plant extract known to dissipate the mitochondrial membrane potential and to release Zn²⁺ and Ca²⁺ from these organelles. Dissociated cortical neurons were grown in a culture medium supplemented with 1 μM hyperforin. Live-cell imaging experiments with the fluorescent probes FluoZin-3 and Fluo-4 show that a 3 day-hyperforin treatment diminishes the size of the hyperforin-sensitive pools of Ca²⁺ and Zn²⁺ whereas it increases the size of the DTDP-sensitive pool of Zn²⁺ without affecting the ionomycin-sensitive pool of Ca²⁺. When assayed by quantitative PCR the levels of mRNA coding for metallothioneins (MTs) I, II and III were increased in cortical neurons after a 3 day-hyperforin treatment. This was prevented by the zinc chelator TPEN, indicating that the plant extract controls the expression of MTs in a zinc-dependent manner. Brains of adult mice who received a daily injection (i.p.) of hyperforin (4 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks had a higher sulphur content than control animals. They also exhibited an enhanced expression of the genes coding for MTs. However, the long-term treatment did not affect the brain levels of calcium and zinc. Based on these results showing that hyperforin influences the size of the internal pools of Zn²⁺, the expression of MTs and the brain cellular sulphur content, it is proposed that hyperforin changes the Zn-storage capacity of brain cells and interferes with their thiol status.     

贯叶金丝桃素衍生物GF1029体外抗AD活性及对AD模型大鼠行为学的影响

目的探讨贯叶金丝桃素衍生物GF1029对大鼠原代培养皮层细胞的保护作用及对衰老模型小鼠空间探索能力和脑抗氧化酶的影响。方法采用大鼠原代培养皮层细胞,用MTT法观察GF1029对100 nmol/L H2O2及20μmol/LAβ25-35损伤后的神经细胞的生长情况。用Aβ25-35侧脑室注射联合D-半乳糖腹腔注射的SD大鼠痴呆模型,经GF1029处理后,用Morris水迷宫实验(MWM)检测大鼠学习记忆能力;并取脑测定脑中丙二醛(MDA)含量和超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)的活性。结果 GF1029在40及80μmol/L预处理2 h可减轻对H2O2及Aβ25-35诱导的大鼠皮层神经细胞损伤,GF1029在30、60 mg/kg灌胃可延长模型大鼠的逃避潜伏期(P<0.05),延长平台所在象限的停留时间(P<0.05),和增加跨平台次数(P<0.05),并可提高小鼠脑SOD活性,减少MDA含量(P<0.05)。结论贯叶连翘衍生物GF1029对H2O2及Aβ25-35诱导的大鼠皮层神经细胞损伤有保护作用,并可改善痴呆模型大鼠学习记忆,对抗神经系统衰老,提高脑组织抗氧化能力,抑制脂质过氧化损伤可能是其抗衰老机制之一。