Neuroendocrine evidence for dopaminergic actions of hypericum extract (LI 160) in healthy volunteers. |
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| Authors: | M Franklin J Chi C McGavin R Hockney A Reed G Campling R W Whale P J Cowen |
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| Affiliation: | University Department of Psychiatry, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK. |
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| Abstract: | BACKGROUND: We studied the effect of a single dose of a formulation of a methanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum (HP), also known as St. John's wort, on plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL), and cortisol (CORT) in 12 healthy male volunteers. METHODS: Subjects received 9 tablets of the finished product Jarsin 300 and placebo in a double-blind, balanced-order, cross-over design. RESULTS: Following HP relative to placebo, there was a significant increase in plasma GH and a significant decrease in plasma PRL. Plasma CORT levels were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together with data from animal experimental studies, the findings suggest that this dose of HP may increase some aspects of brain dopamine function in humans. |
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