Pharmacopsychiatry 2001; 34(Suppl1): 116-118
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-15514
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A Current Review of the Antimicrobial Activity of Hypericum perforatum L.

J. Reichling1 , A. Weseler1 , R. Saller2
  • 1Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 2Universitätsspital Zürich, Dept. Innere Medizin, Abtl. Naturheilkunde, Zürich, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

A petrolether extract of the areal parts of Hypericum perforatum L. was reported to be active against gram-positive bacteria. Hyperforin, a phloroglucin derivative was shown to be the antimicrobial principle. Hyperforin exhibited an excellent effect against methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus with a MIC value of 1.0 µg/ml. A butanol fraction of St. John’s Wort revealed anti-Helicobacter pylori activity with MIC values ranging between 15.6 and 31.2 µg/ml. Recently, hydrous solutions of Hypericum perforatum teas were found to be antimicrobially effective against gram-positive bacteria with special activity towards methicillin-restistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MIC values: 1.3 to 2.5 mg herb/ml).

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Prof. Dr. Jürgen Reichling

Institut für Pharmazeutische Biologie
Universität Heidelberg

Im Neuenheimer Feld 364

69120 Heidelberg

Germany

Email: Juergen.Reichling@t-online.de

Email: Juergen.Reichling@urz.uni-heidelberg.de