Description
Hypericin is a naphthodianthrone found in Hypericum; it exhibits antibiotic, antiviral, analgesic, neuromodulatory, and anticancer activities. Hypericin inhibits dopamine β-hydroxylase and proteasome activity. Hypericin also decreases activity of N-type and P/Q-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, decreasing release of glutamate. In animal models of chronic constructive injury, hypericin decreases activation of PKC and neuropathic pain. In epidermoid carcinoma cells, hypericin induces apoptosis and cell death when stimulated with UV light.