Hypericin

Description

An anthroquinone derivative that is naturally found in the flower of H. perforatum (St. John’s wort) and has antidepressant, antiviral, and anticancer activities. Hypericin inhibits neuronal uptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, GABA and L-glutamate, contributing to its antidepressant effects. It exerts broad spectrum phototoxic affects (IC₅₀ = 140 - 1,570 nM) through induction of apoptotic signaling and formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells. Hypericin also has in vitro activity, which can be enhanced with photo-activation, against a variety of viruses including HIV, influenza virus, hepatitis C, murine cytolomegalovirus, and herpes viruses.

Chemical properties

Powder

The Uses of Hypericin

It was used as reference standard in determining hypericins in St. John′s Wort using HPLC method.

What are the applications of Application

Hypericin is a Protein Kinase C, CKII, MAP, Insulin R, EGFR, and PI-3 kinase inhibitor with antiviral activity.

Definition

ChEBI: Hypericin is a carbopolycyclic compound. It has a role as an antidepressant. It derives from a hydride of a bisanthene.

General Description

Produced by HWI Analytik
Exact content can be found on the certificate

Biological Activity

Photosensitive antiviral, anticancer and antidepressant agent derived from Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort). Inactivates enveloped viruses (including HIV), inhibits tyrosine kinases (IC 50 = 7.5 μ M) and is preferentially cytotoxic to tumor cells upon stimulation by visible light.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Primary TargetPKC

storage

+4°C

Purification Methods

Crystallise hypericin from pyridine by addition of methanolic HCl. [Beilstein 8 IV 3761.]

References

1) Kubin et al., (2005) Hypericin – the facts about a controversial agent; Current Pharm. Des., 11 233 2) Theodossiou et al., (2009) The multifaceted photocytotoxic profile of hypericin; Mol. Pharmacol., 6 1775