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