Application of hypericin in cancer therapy and diagnosis / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Hypericin, used as a medicinal heifo since ancient times, is a natural photosensitizer derived from the plant Hypericum perforantum. Hypericin would produce peroxides to induce apoptosis and inhibit the growth of oncocytes. Meanwhile, hypericin has a specific affinity with tumor pathology organization (underlying accumulation in pathology organization) which has been widely used in optical diagnosis. The present review gives a comprehensive summary of the anticancer effect based on photodynamic therapy, and photodynamic diagnosis of hypericin optical properties, with the purpose of making full use of the hypericin natural resources, and providing a basis for research and development of hypericin derivatives. © 2006 Editorial office of Foreign Medical Sciences.