Title: Standardized
high-dose hypericum extract for antidepressant treatment.
Authors: Kasper S.
Schulz V.of Dr. S. Kasper, Klin. Abt. f. Allgemeine Psychiatrie,
Universitatsklinik fur Psychiatrie, Wahringer Gurtel 18-20, A-1090 Wien;
Austria. E-Mail: gen-psychiatry@akh-wien.ac.at.
Published in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. Vol 149(8-10) (pp
191-196), 1999.
Abstract
In 1998 a special standardized high-dose hypericum (Saint Johns Wort) extract has been approved in Austria and Germany for treatment of mild and moderate
depression. The efficacy has been already recognized since 1984 from the
German Health Authorities based on traditional knowledge. However, this
has been substantiated in the subsequent years in controlled clinical
trials. 20 of these studies including a total of 1 787 patients have been
filed, among them 10 older studies in which hypericum was extracted with
ethanol compared to newer studies in which the extract was methanol (LI
160). In the past 10 years several controlled clinical trials have been
conducted compared with placebo as well as synthetic antidepressants.
These studies have shown that the effective dosage is within a range of
600 to 900 mg extract. The side effects are substantially fewer than with
synthetic antidepressants and range within 3%. The most important risk is
photosensitization, which is however without clinical relevance in the
recommended dosages. Recent pharmacological studies revealed that
hypericum extracts have a similar mechanism of action like the selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), however, very likely to a smaller
extent.
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Title: Treatment
with kava - The root for stress.
Authors: Muller B. Komorek R.
of B. Muller, Harras Pharma Curarina GmbH, Am Harras 15, D-81373 München;
Germany. E-Mail: harras.pharma@t-online.de.
Published in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift. Vol 149(8-10) (pp
197-201), 1999.
Abstract
Kava-kava (Piper methysticum), a shrub which grows on the islands
of the
Pacific Ocean, contains the so-called kavapyrones as active
substances;
these have been pharmacologically investigated in detail and are
comparable with the benzodiazepine tranquilizers with regard to
their mode
and strength of action. The good tolerance and absence of both
the
soporific effect and risk of dependence should be emphasized. The
present
article describes the origin and history of the kava plant as
well as its
pharmacology, action, possibilities for therapeutic use, and
significance
in medical practice. Also discussed are the advantages of the
standardized
kavapyrone complex of active substances as a modern
phyto-anxiolytic and
daily tranquilizer for nervous anxiety, tension, and agitation
states.
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