A Pilot Randomised, Open, Uncontrolled, Clinical Study of Two Dosages of St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) Herb Extract (LI-160) as an Aid to Motivational/Behavioural Support in Smoking Cessation

Abstract

There is an association between smoking and depression, yet the herbal antidepressant St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.; SJW) herb extract has not previously been investigated as an aid in smoking cessation. In this open, uncontrolled, pilot study, 28 smokers of 10 or more cigarettes per day for at least one year were randomised to receive SJW herb extract (LI-160) 300 mg once or twice daily taken for one week before and continued for 3 months after a target quit date. In addition, all participants received motivational/behavioural support from a trained pharmacist. At 3 months, the point prevalence and continuous abstinence rates were both 18%, and at 12 months were 0%. Fifteen participants (54%) reported 23 adverse events up to the end of the 3-month follow-up period. There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of adverse events for participants taking SJW once or twice daily (p > 0.05). Most adverse events were mild, transient and non-serious. This preliminary study has not provided convincing evidence that a SJW herb extract plus individual motivational/behavioural support is likely to be effective as an aid in smoking cessation. However, it may be premature to rule out a possible effect on the basis of a single, uncontrolled pilot study, and other approaches involving SJW extract may warrant investigation.

Role of cultural interaction in tianeptine abuse and different application methods

“…Antidepresan ve antipsikotikler, madde bağımlılarının yoksunluk sendromu tedavisinde kullanılmaktadır (6)(7)(8). Fakat bizim olgularımızda görüldüğü gibi hastaların ilaca toleransı arttıkça tedavi için aldıkları ilaca bağımlılıkları gelişmekte ve giderek artan dozlarda ve farklı yöntemlerle kullanmaktadırlar.…”

A Randomized Clinical Trial of St. John's Wort for Smoking Cessation

“…27 In another study among 28 smokers who received SJW herb extract either 300 mg once a day or 300 mg twice daily taken for 1 week before and continued for 3 months after a TQD, the point prevalence and continuous smoking abstinence rate were both 18% at 3 months. 28 Fifteen (15) participants (54%) reported adverse events, mainly gastrointestinal. This study concluded that SJW plus individual behavioral support was unlikely to be an effective aid for smoking cessation.…”

“…Prior studies with SJW for smoking cessation contained differing amounts of the active ingredient. 9,28 The present study used a dose of SJW with 0.3% hypericin. Different concentrations of the medication across different studies may influence the efficacy.…”

The value of medicinal plants in smoking cessation

“…Les plantes actives sur le système sérotoninergique seront utiles sur les troubles mineurs de l'humeur mais aussi pour contrôler les pulsions alimentaires fréquentes dans un sevrage tabagique. C'est le cas du classique millepertuis Hypericum perforatum qui agit comme un inhibiteur de la recapture de la sérotonine, de la noradrénaline et de la dopamine au niveau du système nerveux central, grâce probablement à l'action de l'hyperforine [6,36,42]. Le millepertuis, d'utilisation délicate en raison de ses multiples interactions médicamenteuses via la voie des cytochromes P450, sera à réserver aux troubles de l'humeur de type dépression mineure apparaissant au cours de l'arrêt du tabac.…”