Theodorakopoulou Aikaterini, Pylarinou Ioanna, Anastasiou Ioanna A, Tentolouris Nikolaos
Diabetes Center, First Department of Propaedeutic Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, 17 Agiou Thoma Street, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 3;26(1):354. doi: 10.3390/ijms26010354.
Diabetes mellitus (DM), a global disease that significantly impacts public health, has become increasingly common over time. In this review, we aim to determine the potential benefits of St. John's Wort (SJW) as an adjunct therapy for DM. We gathered information from studies conducted in vitro, in vivo, and in humans. In vitro studies investigated the concentrations of SJW extracts capable of inhibiting certain enzymes or factors involved in the inflammatory pathway, such as the β-signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, nuclear factor κB, methylglyoxal, and oxidative stress (OS). The extract was found to have positive effects on OS and anti-inflammatory properties in DM, suggesting it could serve as a protective agent against diabetic vascular complications, cell damage, and apoptosis. According to in vivo research, the essential components of the extract can stimulate thermogenesis in adipose tissue, inhibit several key inflammatory signaling pathways, and delay the early death of pancreatic β cells, all of which contribute to combating obesity. The extract may also help treat prediabetes and significantly reduce neuropathic pain. Human studies have also confirmed some of these results. However, some of the plant's side effects need further investigation through clinical research before it can be used to treat DM.
糖尿病(DM)是一种对公众健康有重大影响的全球性疾病,随着时间的推移已变得越来越普遍。在本综述中,我们旨在确定圣约翰草(SJW)作为糖尿病辅助治疗方法的潜在益处。我们收集了来自体外、体内和人体研究的信息。体外研究调查了能够抑制参与炎症途径的某些酶或因子(如β信号转导子和转录激活因子1、核因子κB、甲基乙二醛和氧化应激(OS))的圣约翰草提取物浓度。发现该提取物对糖尿病中的氧化应激和抗炎特性有积极作用,表明它可作为预防糖尿病血管并发症、细胞损伤和细胞凋亡的保护剂。根据体内研究,该提取物的主要成分可刺激脂肪组织产热,抑制几种关键的炎症信号通路,并延缓胰腺β细胞的早期死亡,所有这些都有助于对抗肥胖。该提取物还可能有助于治疗糖尿病前期并显著减轻神经性疼痛。人体研究也证实了其中一些结果。然而,在该植物可用于治疗糖尿病之前,其一些副作用需要通过临床研究进一步调查。