Objective: To investigate pharmacological effects of the total flavonoid in Hypericum perforatum on depression.
Method: Experimental depression was induced by subcutaneous injection of reserpine in mice. The concentration of monoamine transmitters including 5-HT and NE, the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in brain and reserpine-induced symptoms of depression, such as ptosis, attenuation of autonomous activity, behavioral despair, acquired helplessness and sleep, were measured respectively to evaluate the effects of the total flavonoid in H. perforatum on the depression.
Result: The total flavonoid in H. perforatum significantly decreased the activity of MAO, inhibited the ptosis and the attenuation of autonomous behavior induced by reserpine respectively. The levels of 5-HT and NE were also attenuated by the total flavonoid in H. perforatum remarkably. In addition, the total flavonoid in H. perforatum was shown to inhibit behavioral despair and acquired helplessness and to prolong the sleep time in the mice. Following the treatment with the total flavonoid in H. perforatum, 5-THP, at the dosage without any side-effects, caused the tremble in the mice.
Conclusion: The results indicate that total flavonoid in H. perforatum can significantly inhibit the depression.