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Quelle:
British Medical Journal
Behandlung
von Depressionen:
Johanniskraut (Hypericum perforatum) hat sich in einer an
der Universität Berlin durchgeführten Studie als zumindest gleichwertig
mit einem viel verordneten Antidepressivum aus der Gruppe der
Serotonin Wiederaufnahmehemmer erwiesen. An der im British
Medical Journal publizierten Studie nahmen 251 Patienten teil,
die unter leichten bis mittelschweren Depressionen litten.
Nach einer Einnahmedauer von sechs Wochen gaben rund 50% der Patienten
die Johannikrautextrakt eingenommen hatten eine Besserung ihrer
Depression zu Protokoll.
Bei dem synthetischen Medikament waren es nur rund 30%. Neben
der besseren Wirkung zeigte sich beim Johanniskraut auch eine
deutlich geringere Belastung der Patienten durch Nebenwirkungen.
In der Vergangenheit hatte es Hinweise darauf gegeben, daß die
zur Gruppe der Serotonin Wiederaufnahmehemmer gehörenden Stimmungsaufheller
bei Kindern und Jugendlichen das Selbstmordrisiko erhöhen.
Herbal
extract effective remedy for depression
An
extract of the herbal remedy St John's wort is as effective as
a commonly prescribed drug for people suffering from moderate
to severe depression, researchers say.
They compared the extract called WS 5570, which is made by the
German company Dr Willmar Schwabe Pharmaceuticals, and the antidepressant
paroxetine sold by GlaxoSmithKline under the brand name Paxil
or Seroxat.
St John's wort is also known as hypericum perforatum.
"In the treatment of moderate to severe major depression,
hypericum extract WS 5570 is at least as effective as paroxetine
and is better tolerated," University of Berlin Professor
Armin Szegedi said in a report published online by the British
Medical Journal.
In a study funded by the German company, the researchers compared
the treatments on 251 patients, aged 18-70, for six weeks.
Half of the patients taking the extract reported an improvement,
compared to a third taking paroxetine.
Patients taking the extract also reported fewer side effects such
as stomach disorders, according to the researchers.
Paroxetine belongs to a class of drugs known as selective serotonin
re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
British and European health authorities have voiced concern that
the antidepressants may increase the risk of suicide in young
people.
"Our results support the use of hypericum extract WS 5570
as an alternative to standard antidepressants in moderate to severe
depression, especially as it is well tolerated," Professor
Szegedi said.
St John's wort has been called nature's alternative to Prozac
but researchers have warned that it can interfere with hormone
treatment, antibiotics and chemotherapy.
Earlier studies have shown the herbal remedy is also effective
for treating patients with mild depression.
The researchers called for further studies to confirm their findings.
> Originalstudie im British Medical Journal
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