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
