Editing Hypericum perforatum (section)

==== Antidepressant effects====
{{Further|Hyperforin}}
''H. perforatum'' has approval in the European Union as a herbal product for the treatment of mild to moderate depressive episodes (according to [[ICD-10]]) and for the short-term treatment of symptoms in mild depression.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second draft: European Union herbal monograph on Hypericum perforatum L., herba – well-established and traditional use|author=European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)|date=3 March 2021 |url=https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-opinion/second-draft-european-union-herbal-monograph-hypericum-perforatum-l-herba-traditional-use-revision-1_en.pdf|website=European Medicines Agency|access-date=2025-05-22}}</ref>

A 2016 review found that use of St John's wort for mild and moderate depression was better than placebo for improving depression symptoms and comparable to antidepressant medication.<ref name="pmid27589952">{{cite journal|vauthors=Apaydin EA, Maher AR, Shanman R, Booth MS, Miles JN, Sorbero ME, Hempel S |year=2016 |title=A systematic review of St. John's wort for major depressive disorder |journal=Systematic Reviews |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=148 |doi=10.1186/s13643-016-0325-2 |pmc=5010734 |pmid=27589952 |doi-access=free }}</ref> A 2017 meta-analysis found that St John's wort had comparable efficacy and safety to [[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor|SSRIs]] for mild-to-moderate depression and a lower discontinuation rate.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ng |first1=Qin Xiang |last2=Venkatanarayanan |first2=Nandini |last3=Ho |first3=Collin Yih Xian |title=Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression: A meta-analysis |journal=Journal of Affective Disorders |date=March 2017 |volume=210 |pages=211–221 |doi=10.1016/j.jad.2016.12.048 |pmid=28064110 }}</ref>

St John's wort appears to be more effective than placebo and as effective as standard antidepressant medications for mild and moderate depression.<ref name="nccih" /> A 2015 meta-analysis review concluded that it is more effective than placebo in treating depression, is as effective as standard antidepressants, and has fewer [[adverse effect]]s than other antidepressants.<ref name="SJW and rMAO-A inhibitors – 2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Linde K, Kriston L, Rücker G, Jamila S, Schumann I, Meissner K, Sigterman K, Schneider A | title = Efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological treatments for depressive disorders in primary care: systematic review and network meta-analysis | journal = Annals of Family Medicine | volume = 13 | issue = 1 | pages = 69–79 | date = February 2015 | pmid = 25583895 | pmc = 4291268 | doi = 10.1370/afm.1687}}</ref>

Hyperforin, a phytochemical produced by St John's wort, has effects on [[cell culture]]s [[in vitro]] that may indicate antidepressant properties, although its instability causes uncertainty about its biological effects.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gaid |first1=Mariam |last2=Biedermann |first2=Eline |last3=Füller |first3=Jendrik |last4=Haas |first4=Paul |last5=Behrends |first5=Sönke |last6=Krull |first6=Rainer |last7=Scholl |first7=Stephan |last8=Wittstock |first8=Ute |last9=Müller-Goymann |first9=Christel |last10=Beerhues |first10=Ludger|date=2018-05-01 |title=Biotechnological production of hyperforin for pharmaceutical formulation |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0939641117300929 |journal=European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics |series=Innovative Processes for Bio-Pharmaceuticals and Poorly Water-Soluble API |language=en |volume=126 |pages=10–26 |doi=10.1016/j.ejpb.2017.03.024 |issn=0939-6411 |pmid=28377273 |s2cid=4701643}}</ref>