Gregoretti B, Stebel M, Candussio L, Crivellato E, Bartoli F, Decorti
G. Toxicity of Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort) administered
during pregnancy and lactation in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2004
Nov 1;200(3):201-5.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/
query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15504456
The popularity of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) for the
treatment of depression is increasing and, in recent years, concerns
about its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding have emerged. The
purpose of this study was to investigate, in Wistar rats, the effects
of a treatment with hypericum administered prenatally and during
breastfeeding (from 2 weeks before mating to 21 days after delivery).
Two doses of the extract were chosen, 100 mg/kg per day, which, based
on surface area, is comparable to the dose administered to humans, and
1000 mg/kg per day. A microscopical analysis of livers, kidneys,
hearts, lungs, brains, and small bowels was performed. A severe damage
was observed in the livers and kidneys of animals euthanized
postnatally on days 0 and 21. The lesions were more severe with the
higher dose and in animals that were breastfed for 21 days; however, an
important renal and hepatic damage was evident also with the dose of
100 mg/kg per day. In addition, similar serious hepatic and renal
lesions were evident also in animals that were exposed to hypericum
only during breastfeeding. In particular, a focal hepatic damage, with
vacuolization, lobular fibrosis, and disorganization of hepatic arrays
was evident; in the kidney, a reduction in glomerular size,
disappearance of Bowman's space, and hyaline tubular degeneration were
found. The results obtained in this study indicate that further,
appropriate histological studies should be performed in other animal
species to better evaluate the safety of hypericum extracts taken
during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
What do you make of this in light of Hale's recent L2 rating for St.
John's wort? (Maybe lab rats shouldn't have St. John's wort?)
Katie Bredbeck
"Those willing to give up a little liberty for a little security
deserve neither security nor liberty."
---Ben Franklin
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