Uso da planta medicinal Erva-de-São-João (Hypericum perforatum) no tratamento da depressão.

Abstract

Humanity has always found in nature the necessary sources for its basic needs. The use of plants for treatment, cure and prevention of diseases, is one of the oldest forms of care practice. Herbal medicines are responsible for the treatment of various diseases, such as psychiatric disorders. For example, depression is characterized by sadness or irritability, disinterest or displeasure, feelings of guilt or low self-esteem, sleep or appetite disorders, fatigue, cognitive difficulties and recurrent ideas of death. Conventional drugs are the first choice of professionals, but despite improving people's conditions, they cause many adverse events. Hypericum perforatum, one of the few natural antidepressants, has been considered an effective alternative to other therapeutic agents in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. The objective of this work was to carry out an review of the literature on the medicinal plant of Hypericum perforatum, used in the treatment of depression. The data were collected in the electronic databases of Periodic Capes, Eletronic Libary Online Online (SciELO), PubMed and Google academic, using the descriptors: Hypericum performatum, antidepressive activity, depression, phytotherapy, efficacy and safety. Clinical studies, meta-analyzes, and systemic reviews of clinical studies have shown the effectiveness, quality and safety of H. perforatum extracts for the symptomatic treatment of mild and moderate depression compared to placebo and reference antidepressants. Therefore, it is a phytotherapeutic that deserves to be highlighted by its action in the control of mild and moderate depression, however, it is important to ensure its rational use, mainly by the pharmacist's action in guiding the user about the possible adverse effects and drug interactions.