Definition:

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herbgreey®St John's extract Health Benefits:

herbgreey®St John's extract is a natural blend of active ingredients derived from Hypericum perforatum L., a plant belonging to the Hypericaceae family. It is a safe neurotrophic agent that can be used to prevent and treat depression, regulate emotional disorders and mood imbalances, alleviate tension and depression, restore confidence and improve sleep.

Particularities of herbgreey®St John's extract:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● USP, EP, BP, Food grade, In-house

▶ Improvement of depressive mood

herbgreey®St John's extract Applications:

The most extensively researched and recognised health benefit of herbgreey®St John's extract is the improvement of mild to moderate depressive mood, which is also its core application as a dietary supplement in Europe and America. Research suggests that its active components (such as hypericin) may alleviate low mood and anxiety by inhibiting the reuptake of key neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, while also influencing levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Several controlled studies have shown that St. John's wort extract (typically standardised to contain 0.3% hypericin and 3-5% hyperforin) is as effective as low-dose selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs, such as fluoxetine) in treating mild to moderate depression (as defined by the DSM-5 criteria for major depressive disorder). Some research suggests that it may cause fewer cases of gastrointestinal discomfort and insomnia. Some studies have suggested that St. John's Wort extract may have a lower incidence of gastrointestinal discomfort and insomnia compared to SSRIs (e.g. fluoxetine).

■ Source

Herbgreey® St John's extract is derived from the aerial parts of Hypericum perforatum L., a Clusiaceae plant. This includes the plant's flowering stems, leaves, and inflorescences. This perennial herb is native to Europe, West Asia and North Africa, but is now widely distributed in temperate regions, including cultivated or wild populations in parts of North America and China. The aerial parts are typically harvested during the plant's flowering season in summer, when the concentration of active compounds such as hypericin and hyperforin is at its peak, ensuring superior extraction efficiency and quality.

herbgreey®St John's extract is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  herbgreey®St John's extract powder 0.3%-0.5% (Hypericin)

Dietary supplements are the most widely used product globally. herbgreey®St John's extract is a key ingredient in mood-regulating supplements and accounts for a significant share of the emotional health supplement market. These products are characterised by 'convenient consumption and precise dosage control', and primarily target individuals experiencing mild to moderate emotional lows or anxiety. The most common form is capsules or tablets, which typically utilise standardised extracts (e.g. 0.3% hypericin). Liquid extracts/drops are suitable for individuals with swallowing difficulties. Using ethanol or glycerin as solvents, they can be dripped directly into the mouth or mixed with warm water or juice, potentially offering faster absorption than solid formulations. Gummies and chewables fall under the category of 'palatability-optimised' functional snack supplements, primarily targeting younger consumers. They enhance taste through sweeteners and flavourings, but they must contain an adequate amount of the active ingredient to avoid being 'high in sugar and low in efficacy'.

In certain countries and regions, such as Germany and Austria, herbgreey®St John's extract is approved as an over-the-counter or prescription medication for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. This is subject to strict pharmaceutical production and regulatory standards. It contains flavonoids such as rutin and hypericin, which have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and soothing properties. These properties primarily target skin inflammation and UV damage.

■ Active ingredients

The active components of Herbgreey® St John's extract are complex and comprise multiple classes of compound. Hypericin is one of the most prominent components of the extract. It appears as red, needle-like crystals and exhibits photosensitivity, generating singlet oxygen when exposed to light. The content of standard extracts typically ranges from 0.3% to 0.5%. Pseudohypericin has a similar structure to hypericin and also exhibits photosensitivity and antiviral activity. Another key active component in the extract is hyperforin, which is characterised by volatility and sensitivity to heat and oxygen. Adhyperforin, which is structurally related to hyperforin, assists in neurotransmitter regulation. Other components include hyperoside, quercetin and rutin, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Together, these components enhance the extract's overall physiological activity, aiding in neuroprotection and immune regulation.

herbgreey®St John's extract provides supportive relief for mild to moderate anxiety, such as mild generalised anxiety disorder and stress-related anxiety, beyond depression. It works by regulating neurotransmitter balance (such as GABA and serotonin), reducing excessive central nervous system excitability and alleviating symptoms such as tension, irritability and difficulty falling asleep (anxiety-related sleep issues). A study involving patients with mild generalised anxiety disorder demonstrated that, when used continuously for eight weeks, a standardised St John's wort extract significantly reduced anxiety scores (e.g. Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, HAMA) compared to a placebo group, and was well tolerated.

▶ Alleviating anxiety-related symptoms

Recent studies have revealed that St. John's wort extract has the potential to alleviate certain types of neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic neuralgia and pain caused by diabetic peripheral neuropathy. This effect may be due to its active components' anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (e.g. hypericin), and their ability to regulate abnormal signalling pathways following nerve injury (e.g. by inhibiting sodium channels associated with neuropathic pain). Small-scale clinical studies suggest that the topical or oral administration of specific formulations of St. John's wort extract may reduce pain scores (e.g. the Visual Analogue Scale) in patients with neuropathic pain. However, current studies have limited sample sizes, necessitating further large-scale research for validation. It should not yet be considered a primary analgesic approach.

▶ Improving Neuropathic Pain

■ Extraction process characteristics

Richtek selects the aerial parts (the stems, leaves and flowers) of St John's wort during its flowering period, when the concentration of active compounds is at its peak. After collection, the material is preliminarily cleaned to remove impurities and soil. The cleaned raw material is then dried using common methods, such as natural sun-drying or oven drying. During oven drying, the temperature must be controlled to prevent the active components from degrading due to excessive heat. The moisture content of the dried material must be kept low to facilitate subsequent extraction. The dried material is then pulverised into a powder with a specific particle size to increase its surface area in contact with the extraction solvent and thereby enhance extraction efficiency. Pulverisation is typically performed to a particle size of approximately 20-60 mesh.

Organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol and acetone are commonly used in extraction processes. Water extraction or extraction using a mixture of water and alcohol may also be employed. Ethanol is the most frequently used solvent for extraction, typically in solutions of varying concentrations (e.g. 50-95% ethanol). Methods of extraction include reflux extraction, ultrasonic-assisted extraction and supercritical CO2 extraction. The resulting extract contains impurities alongside the target active components, necessitating purification. The purified extract is then concentrated to remove some of the solvent, yielding a concentrated solution. Common concentration methods include vacuum concentration and thin-film concentration. Vacuum concentration involves lowering the solvent's boiling point under reduced pressure, enabling concentration at lower temperatures and preventing the thermal degradation of active components. Thin-film concentration involves forming a thin layer of extract to increase the evaporation surface area and enhance concentration efficiency.

General Information:

CAS No.

Plant source

Extraction site

Active ingredient

Chemical formula

Molecular mass

Flowers, stems, leaves

N/A

84082-80-4

N/A

Hypericin

Hypericum perforatum L.

☑  herbgreey®St John's extract powder 5:1/10:1/20:1