St. John’s Wort: A Systematic Review of Adverse Effects and Drug Interactions for the Consultation Psychiatrist

The pharmaceutical industry and natural products: historical status and new trends

“…For example, phyto-preparations containing Hypericum perforatum (Saint John's Wort) have demonstrated to cause multiple drug interactions through induction of the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4 with drugs such as cyclosporin, indinavir, simvastatin, fexofenadine, and digoxin (Hammerness et al 2003). The metabolism of these drugs increases, resulting in a decrease in the concentration and thus has negatively impacted clinical effects.…”

Concurrent herb-prescription medication use and health care provider disclosure among university students

“…5 Mixture of SJW with MAOI or SSRI antidepressants, for example, can result in a serious health condition known as serotonin syndrome. 6,7 Serotonin syndrome occurs when the body is flooded with excess serotonin and can lead to muscle twitching, restlessness, breakdown of skeletal musculature, kidney failure and ultimately death. 8 Additionally, in as little as four to ten days SJW can cause some medications to metabolize too quickly thus lowering plasma concentrations and rendering treatment less effective or ineffectual.…”

Fenugreek: Potential Applications as a Functional Food and Nutraceutical

“…It was reported that adding 100 g fenugreek powder containing 50 percent dietary fiber for a period of 10 days decreased 25 percent blood glucose level among the type II diabetes patients (36). It has been shown that soluble fiber fraction reduced postprandial elevation in blood glucose level of Type 2 model diabetic rats by hindering the digestion of sucrose.…”