Studies of the pharmacological properties of a combination of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort), Passiflora incarnata (passion flower) and Baldrian (Neurapas-balance) in rat provides evidence of synergistic effects

Objective

We set out to test the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties of the proprietary antidepressant Neurapas-balance, which contains Hypericum perforatum (SJW) Passiflora incarnata (PF) and Valeriana officinalis (V)

Methods

The individual herbal extracts were tested alone and in combination for effects on serotonin re-uptake in rat brain slices. Experiments also were begun in the in vivo model of depression, the rat forced-swim test.

Results

The inhibition of serotonin re-uptake was measured with reference to the mean re-uptake in the absence of drug. Alone, SJW exhibited a dose-dependent significant inhibition that was increased in the presence of PF.

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So far, in vivo, we have demonstrated that Neurapas-balance is effective in the rat forced-swim test.

Conclusion

This study has so far indicated that PF has a novel enhancing effect on the pharmacology of SJW and on a pharmacological parameter that is a crucial mechanism of antidepressive action.

Acknowledgement

This study was supported by Pascoe Pharmaceutische Preparations GmbH, Germany.