Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Hypericum Species

The genus Hypericum comprises over 500 species renowned for their diverse array of secondary metabolites, including naphthodianthrones (hypericin), acylphloroglucinols (hyperforin and adhyperforin), flavonoids, xanthones and phenolic acids. These compounds underpin a broad spectrum of biological activities, ranging from antidepressant and neuroprotective effects to anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. Biosynthetic investigations have revealed intricate enzymatic pathways leading to hypericin and hyperforin production, with recent transcriptomic data shedding light on tissue-specific expression profiles. Variation in phytochemical content reflects environmental, genetic and developmental factors, influencing both efficacy and standardisation for medicinal and industrial applications. Advanced extraction and formulation strategies, such as multistage hydroethanolic processing and liposomal hydrogels, have expanded the therapeutic potential of Hypericum extracts, notably in mood disorders, wound healing and oncology. Continued integration of omics technologies, chemical profiling and in vivo studies promises to refine our understanding of Hypericum species and support sustainable exploitation of their bioactive constituents.

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Phytochemical Properties and Biological Activities of Hypericum Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical properties and biological activities of hypericum species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Acylphloroglucinols: A class of polycyclic compounds derived from a phloroglucinol core, including hyperforin, with broad biological activities.

Naphthodianthrones: Tetracyclic compounds such as hypericin, found in Hypericum species, known for photodynamic and anticancer properties.

Transcriptomics: The study of RNA transcripts produced by the genome under specific conditions, used to elucidate biosynthetic pathways.

Cytotoxicity: The quality of being toxic to cells, often measured to assess anticancer potential of compounds.

Antioxidant assay: Laboratory methods (e.g. DPPH, ABTS) used to evaluate a substance’s capacity to scavenge free radicals and inhibit oxidative damage.

References

1. Single molecule real-time sequencing data sets of Hypericum perforatum L. plantlets and cell suspension cultures. Scientific Data (2024).
2. Chemical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity of Nine Hypericum Species from Greece. Antioxidants (2023).
3. Hyperforin Elicits Cytostatic/Cytotoxic Activity in Human Melanoma Cell Lines, Inhibiting Pro-Survival NF-κB, STAT3, AP1 Transcription Factors and the Expression of Functional Proteins Involved in Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Metabolism. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Tocopherol and tocotrienol homologue recovery from Hypericum perforatum L. and extraction residues after hydroethanolic extraction. Industrial Crops and Products (2025).
5. A Novel Liposomal In-Situ Hydrogel Formulation of Hypericum perforatum L.: In Vitro Characterization and In Vivo Wound Healing Studies. Gels (2025).
6. Factors Affecting Polyphenol Biosynthesis in Wild and Field Grown St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum L. Hypericaceae/Guttiferae). Molecules (2009).
7. The Biochemical and Genetic Basis for the Biosynthesis of Bioactive Compounds in Hypericum perforatum L., One of the Largest Medicinal Crops in Europe. Genes (2020).