What is it about?
This study compared 11 Hypericum species grown in Sicily by analysing their chemical composition and evaluating their antioxidant and phototoxic properties. The authors extracted flowering tops and characterised their metabolites using HPLC‑DAD‑MS, identifying 20 compounds, including polyphenols, acylphloroglucinols, and naphthodianthrones. The extracts were then tested for antioxidant capacity through Folin–Ciocalteu, DPPH radical scavenging, and ORAC assays, and for photocytotoxicity using murine fibroblasts (NIH/3T3) under dark and photo‑induced conditions. All species demonstrated measurable cytotoxic and antioxidant activity, with variability in metabolite composition and photoreactivity.
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Why is it important?
Hypericum perforatum is well known in phytotherapy, but many related species remain largely unexplored. By identifying bioactive metabolites and characterising antioxidant and photo‑induced cytotoxic effects, this work highlights species that may contribute to managing conditions associated with oxidative stress, a key element in tissue homeostasis, inflammation, and general cellular health. The findings also suggest that certain lesser‑known species contain metabolites relevant for photodynamic applications or as potential natural sources of antioxidant compounds, expanding the perspective on the therapeutic potential within the Hypericum genus.
Perspectives
These results derive from in vitro assays and a limited number of plant samples, meaning they cannot yet establish definitive chemotaxonomic markers or clinical relevance. Intra‑species chemical variability is acknowledged in previous literature, and broader sampling would be needed to confirm whether the detected metabolite profiles consistently characterise each species. The photocytotoxic activity observed in fibroblasts should be interpreted within the constraints of controlled laboratory conditions, which do not replicate the complexity of living tissues. Further work is needed to evaluate specific biological activities, including those already known for H. perforatum (antidepressant, antiviral, antitumor), and to explore whether other Hypericum species share similar properties. Future studies should: - expand the number of species and populations analysed; - assess biological functions using additional cellular models; - investigate potential applications in photodynamic strategies; - evaluate in vivo relevance where appropriate.
Prof. Antonio Speciale
University of Messina
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Phytochemical profiles, phototoxic and antioxidant properties of eleven Hypericum species – A comparative study, Phytochemistry, August 2018, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2018.05.003.
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