ABSTRACT
More than 500 species of Hypericum are located throughout Europe, North America, North Africa, and Asia. These plants have a long history of employment in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral medicines, as well as for the treatment of burns, gastrointestinal problems, and depression. The most significant species of this genus are Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra because of their pharmacological activities. Hypericum perforatum L. and Hypericum triquetrifolium are widely known for their efficacy in reducing inflammation and improving wound healing. The main reason these plants have been used for treatment of mild to moderate depression. Nevertheless, some similar species are also utilized in conventional medicine and have been previously analyzed for their biological activity and phytochemical composition. The main classes of active substances are found in Hypericum species, including naphthodianthrones (such as hypericin and pseudohyperricin), phloroglucinols (such as hyperforin), flavonoids (such as rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, and amentoflavone), and phenylpropanoids (chlorogenic acid). This review's objective is to provide a summary of the most recent research on potential medicinal uses for Hypericum perforatum L., and Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra.
ABSTRACT
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro antioxidant properties and in vivo protective effects of the methanol extract of the Hypericum triquetrifolium Turra (HT) seed against acute hepatotoxicity, myelotoxicity and hematotoxicity in rats induced by cyclophosphamide (CP). In order to investigate in vivo protective effects of the HT extract on rat tissues, the rats were divided into nine groups. The toxic effects of CP and the protective effects of HT extract on nucleated cells that are produced by bone marrow, serum alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were investigated biochemically. Additionally, liver tissue samples were examined for histopathological changes and apoptosis by Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. The results of this study show that HT seed methanol extract has high total phenolic content (179.52 μg GAE/mg) and antioxidant activity (87.48% in 500 μg/mL concentration). CP administration caused hepatotoxicity, myelotoxicity and hematotoxicity in the rats. Whereas, the groups of rats that were injected with different concentrations of HT (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and CP (150 mg/kg) showed significant protective effects on bone marrow nucleated cells and important decreases on serum ALT, ALP, LDH and OSI levels were observed when compared with the CP injected group.