HYPERICIN AND HYPERICUM EXTRACT: SPECIFIC T-TYPE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKER, AND THEIR USE AS T-TYPE CALCIUM CHANNEL TARGETED THERAPEUTICS

摘要

Hypericin has been shown to specifically inhibit T-type calcium channel activity. Hypericum extract containing hypericin also inhibits T-type calcium channel activity. Moreover, other chemicals in Hypericum extract showed a synergistic effect to hypericin. In view of this, hypericin or hypericin-containing Hypericum extract can be used as T-channel blockers. Hypericum extract, extract of other species of the Hypericum genus, extract of other plants containing hypericin, hypericin derivatives, hypericin analogs, such as pseudohypericin, and other Hypericum extract constituents can be used as therapeutics targeted at T-type calcium channels for treatment of diseases associated with T-channel abnormality. Methods for administering hypericin and Hypericum extract are disclosed.