PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Hypericum androsaemum, also known as tutsan or shrubby St. John's Wort, is a Mediterranean medicinal shrub used traditionally for various ailments and studied for its antioxidant and cytotoxic properties [PMID:29353203, PMID:26973675].
Background
Hypericum androsaemum L. is a small evergreen shrub native to the Mediterranean basin [PMID:26973675, PMID:27864112]. It is characterized by berry-like fruits that transition from red to shiny black as they ripen [PMID:29353203, PMID:26973675].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in Portuguese and Spanish folk medicine to treat depression [PMID:29353203], as well as a diuretic and hepatoprotective herbal drug [PMID:26973675, PMID:19614890]. It has also been used in ointments for treating cuts, wounds, and burns [PMID:27864112].
Active compounds
The plant contains phenolic compounds including shikimic acid, chlorogenic acid [PMID:26973675], 5-O-Caffeoylquinic and 3-O-caffeoylquinic acids [PMID:28460934], and caffeic acid [PMID:34849072]. Other identified constituents include xanthones [PMID:26973675, PMID:10865463], phloroglucinols [PMID:12713126], polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (androforin A and hyperandrone A) [PMID:22700239], and various sesquiterpene hydrocarbons in its essential oil [PMID:15202597, PMID:12590488].
Mechanism of action
Water extracts have been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in human colorectal cancer cells by affecting MAP kinases and the PI3K/Akt pathway, specifically decreasing BRAF and phospho-ERK expressions in certain cell lines [PMID:22596086]. The plant also exhibits antioxidant activity by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) [PMID:19614890, PMID:12392087].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DPost-stroke depression (mouse model)
Water extract of red berries exerted antidepressive-like effects and in vivo antioxidant activity [PMID:29353203]
Evidence DColorectal cancer (in vitro)
Water extract significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in HCT15 and CO115 cell lines [PMID:22596086]
Evidence DVarious cancer cell lines (in vitro)
Ethanol:water extract inhibited growth of breast, lung, cervical, and hepatocellular human carcinoma cell lines [PMID:28460934]
Safety & adverse effects
In vivo studies in mice indicated that oral pretreatment with H. androsaemum infusion potentiated tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced hepatotoxicity, increasing the depletion of total and reduced glutathione [PMID:15325741]. In isolated rat hepatocytes, the infusion prevented LDH leakage but caused alterations in glutathione homeostasis [PMID:15099852].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell line studies and in vivo animal models (Level D), focusing on antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antidepressant-like activities. There are no human clinical trials provided.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 29353203 (2018) — The water extract of tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum L.) red berries exerts antidepressive-like effects and in vivo antioxidant activity in a mouse model of post-stroke depression. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
- 2.PMID: 26973675 (2016) — Polar Constituents and Biological Activity of the Berry-Like Fruits from Hypericum androsaemum L. · Frontiers in plant science
- 3.PMID: 27864112 (2017) — Polar extracts from the berry-like fruits of Hypericum androsaemum L. as a promising ingredient in skin care formulations. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
- 4.PMID: 15325741 (2004) — Hypericum androsaemum infusion increases tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced mice hepatotoxicity in vivo. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
- 5.PMID: 34849072 (2021) — Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Hypericum androsaemum on prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep G2) cell lines with identification of secondary metabolites by LC-HRMS.