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KMID : 1200820030030030111
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Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine
2003 Volume.3 No. 3 p.111 ~ p.122
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Hypericum source of natural antimicrobials
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Mukherjee Pulok K.
Wahile Atul
Ahamed KFH Nazeer
Rajan S.
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Abstract
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Plants of the genus Hypericum (Family - Hypericaceae) are herbs, shrubs or small trees and are distributed chiefly in the temperate regions of the world. About 400 different species of Hypericum are available throughout the globe and 20 species occur in India, including a few cultivated in gardens. Almost all plants of the genus Hypericum are widely used in folk medicine. Several potent phytoconstituents from different Hypericum species have led to the isolation of antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic compounds. With the development of resistance and cross resistance with different microorganisms and the evolution of so many deadly diseases the screening and evaluation of the phytoconstituents so much so the development of varied phytoconstituents for the drug development for these deadly diseases is utmost essential in every aspects. The present review on the antimicrobial use of different Hypericum reports the findings from and extensive literature search on the Hypericum species around the globe that have been assessed for antimicrobial and antiviral activity. An attempt has been made through this review to summarize the information in this aspect in order to highlight the promising species of this genus which are worthy for further investigation as leads for drug development. Over 31 different Hypericum species have been reported to possess such activities with their varied number of phytoconstituents. Sixteen different constituents of six different classes of phytoconstituents have been reported to be present in different varieties of Hypericum, which may be considered responsible for this activity.
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KEYWORD
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Hypericum, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Phytoconstituents
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