1. ¹UMRS 736 INSERM/Université Paris VI, Centre de Recherches Biomédicales des Cordeliers, Paris Cedex, France
2. ²Département d'Hématologie et d'Oncologie Médicale, Hopital Hôtel Dieu, Paris, France
3. ³Laboratoire de Pharmacie Galénique et Industrielle, Faculté de Pharmacie, Marseille Cedex, France

Correspondence: Dr J-P Kolb, UMRS 736 INSERM, Centre de Recherches Biomédicales des Cordeliers, 15 rue de l'Ecole de Médecine, 75270 Paris Cedex 06, France. E-mail: jpkolb@bhdc.jussieu.fr

⁴Current address: Department of Biochemistry, Biosciences Institute, University College, Cork, Ireland.

Received 7 April 2006; Revised 17 May 2006; Accepted 23 May 2006; Published online 22 June 2006.

Abstract

Extracts of the plant St John's wort, Hyperforin perforatum L., have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, notably for the treatment of depression. One of their main lipophilic components, a natural prenylated phloroglucinol termed hyperforin (HF), has been identified as the major molecule responsible for the antidepressant effects of this plant. Within the last few years, a number of studies have demonstrated that HF displays, in addition, several other biological properties of potential pharmacological interest. They include an antibacterial capacity and inhibitory effects on inflammatory mediators. It is worth noting that HF also promotes apoptosis of various cancer cells from solid tumors and hematological malignancies, including B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In addition, HF inhibits the capacity of migration and invasion of different tumor cells, as well as exhibiting antiangiogenic effects. Altogether, these properties qualify HF as a lead structure for the development of new therapeutic molecules in the treatment of various diseases, including some malignant tumors.