World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

DETERIORATION OF LIVER FUNCTION BIOMARKERS INDUCED BY ST. JOHN'S WORT

Goljameen Midhat Abdulla*

ABSTRACT

St. John's Wort (SJW) is an alternative herbal treatment for anxiety and depression. Among the dose-limiting side
effects of this plant is photosensitization. This study was designed to examine the potential adverse effects on
hepatic function caused by exposure of laboratory rats to SJW. In this experiment, thirty adult rats were distributed
into three groups, each containing ten. The first group (CON) was for control; in the second group (SJW1) the
animals were provided with St. John’s wort without direct exposure to sunlight, and in the third group (SJW2) the
animals received SJW with direct exposure to sunlight. The treatment period lasted fifteen consecutive days, and
on the sixteenth day, the animals were dissected, blood samples were collected, and serum liver enzyme indicators
(ALT, AST, and ATP) were analyzed. Results demonstrated a considerable rising in liver function indicators levels
for rats dosed with the extract and exposed to direct sunlight (SJW2) compared to the control (CON) group. It was
concluded that this plant has a toxic effect on liver function at excessive doses and exposure to sunlight, causing
photosensitivity in vivo.

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