Examples of botanicals with known or postulated mechanisms of action

Saw Palmetto
Buck, A.C. (2004). Is there a scientific basis for the therapeutic effects of serenoa repens
in benign prostatic hyperplasia? Mechanisms of action. Journal of Urology, 172(5 Pt 1),
1792-1799.
Fong, Y.K., Milani, S., Djavan, B. (2005). Role of phytotherapy in men with lower
urinary tract symptoms. Current Opinion in Urology, 15(1), 45-48.
Wilt, T., Ishani, A., Mac Donald, R. (2002). Serenoa repens for benign prostatic
hyperplasia.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3, CD001423.

St. Johns Wort

Barnes, J., Anderson, L.A., Phillipson, J.D. (2001). St John's wort: A review of its
chemistry, pharmacology and clinical properties. Journal of Pharmacy and
Pharmacology, 53(5), 583-600.
Butterweck, V. (2003). Mechanism of action of St John's wort in depression: What is
known? CNS Drugs, 17(8), 539-62.
Kasper, S., Gastpar, M., Mller, W.E., Volz, H.P., Dienel, A., Kieser, M., Mller, H.J.
(2007).
Efficacy of St. John's wort extract WS(R) 5570 in acute treatment of mild depression: A
re-analysis of data from controlled clinical trials. European Archives of Psychiatry and
Clinical Neuroscience, Dec 14, 2007.
Medina, M.A., Martnez-Poveda, B., Amores-Snchez, M.I., Quesada, A.R. (2006).
Hyperforin: More than an antidepressant bioactive compound? Life Sciences, 79(2), 10511.
Wurglics, M., Schubert-Zsilavecz, M. (2006). Hypericum perforatum: A 'modern' herbal
antidepressant: Pharmacokinetics of active ingredients. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 45(5),
449-468.