hypericin

Introduction

Psoralen-like compound that uses visible, rather than UV radiation.

Component of St. John's Wort

Dosage

900-3600 mg PO

Adverse effects

• phototoxicity (cataracts in the presence of sunlight)

Mechanism of action

• prevents replication of encapsulated viruses
• some anti-inflammatory activity
  • inhibits releas of leukotrienes

More general terms

• oral dermatologic agent
• antiviral agent
• enzyme inhibitor

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=3663
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=5281051