Does Anyone Have a Link for the Latest Research on St. John’s Wort?

by Ed Yourdon

Question by Bumbo: Does anyone have a link for the latest research on St. John’s Wort?

Best answer:

Answer by Kris10Heck
Here is the FDA’s research: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/stjwort.htm

But I believe that it depends on what product of St. John’s wort they used for their study. (if they used the true form or extract, or if they used a capsule with other additives and preservatives).

Answer by Eden*
According to latest research, Dr. Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals’ proprietary St. John’s Wort extract WS? 5570 is at least as effective and better tolerated than standard treatment with prescription antidepressant paroxetine in the treatment of moderate to severe major depression[1]. The randomised, double-blind, reference-controlled, multicentre Phase III clinical trial investigated the antidepressant efficacy of WS? 5570 and paroxetine in 251 patients with acute major depression and was published online in the British Medical Journal http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/

In the new study, 251 patients with moderate to severe forms of depression were divided into two groups: one receiving 900 mg/day of WS? 5570, and the other 20 mg/day of paroxetine, for six weeks. Any patients not responding after two weeks had their dose doubled at that time. The higher dose was not associated with any relevant increase in adverse events for either drug.

WS? 5570 produced a significantly better improvement in patients as measured by internationally accepted diagnostics such as the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD). When compared to paroxetine, treatment with WS? 5570 shows an average advantage of 3 points for HAMD total score decrease versus baseline.

These results are in line with the findings of another recent clinical trial in 375 patients, showing a significant advantage of WS? 5570 over placebo[3].

“This study shows that WS? 5570 is at least equally effective and much better tolerated than one of the leading synthetic antidepressants” says Prof. A. Szegedi, principal investigator of the study and managing senior physician at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the CharityUniversity medizin Berlin. “WS? 5570 therefore represents a real alternative in the treatment of depression.”

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Moods and Attitudes: Treatment Options for Depression – Life is full of emotional ups and downs. But when the “down” times are long lasting or interfere with your ability to function, you may be suffering from a c…

Elsbeth's new health practice offers alternative approach
A health practitioner has launched a new business to help people suffering with stress, anxiety and depression. The conditions are becoming increasingly common in today's world, but Elsbeth Hanson is offering treatment using a combination of dietary … Read more on Hebdenbridge Today

The big itch: Dermatologist thinks itching should be studied as a disease, not …
But his belief in holistic treatments such as relaxation techniques is based on the fact that, in some cases, itch is truly all in the mind. Damaged nerve fibers cause the brain to misinterpret signals as itch and, when relief cannot be found … Read more on Chattanooga Times Free Press