Biochemical activities of extracts from Hypericum perforatum L. - 4th Communication: Influence of different cultivation methods

Extracts from the herb "St. John's wort" (Hypericum perforatum L.), know si nce ancient times as medical plant, besides other activities such as wound healing, antighout, antirheumatic and diuretic properties, is used in the t reatment of mild to moderate depression. Increasing application continuousl y makes cultivation under controlled conditions of Hypericum perforatum L. more important. This report shows the results of three-years cultivation experiments with H ypericum perforatum L. The findings indicate that N-fertilizing yields more plant material but results in a drug with less quantity of secondary metab olites. Important components of the drug were quantified by HPLC and their activities were analyzed with the aid of biochemical test systems. Narrowle aved and broadleaved varieties of Hypericum perforatum L. show differences both in activity and quality. In this experiments the most active extract w as a methanolic extract derived from non-fertilized. broadleaved plants.