Hypericin可以从广泛分布在世界各地的圣约翰草中获取。作为一种天然产物，它长期以来被用于临床实践，如创面愈合和抗抑郁。在本文中，我们对Hypericin的药理学、药代动力学和安全性进行综述，旨在介绍研究进展并提供全面评价。结果表明，作为天然光敏剂，Hypericin在光照激活下具有出色的抗癌、神经保护和消除微生物的能力，光动力疗法后获得强大的抗癌和抗微生物效果。其治疗效应的机制涉及细胞死亡的诱导、细胞周期进程的抑制、胺的再摄取抑制以及病毒复制的抑制。药代动力学特性表明，Hypericin具有较差的水溶性和生物利用度。分布和排泄速度快，被胆汁代谢。关于Hypericin的毒性很少报道，常规使用很少引起不良反应，除了光敏感。因此，我们可以得出结论，Hypericin可以安全有效地用于治疗各种疾病。我们希望为研究人员提供详细指导，并促进其发展。© 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Hypericin can be derived from St. John's wort, which is widely spread around the world. As a natural product, it has been put into clinical practice such as wound healing and depression for a long time. In this article, we review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety of hypericin, aiming to introduce the research advances and provide a full evaluation of it. Turns out hypericin, as a natural photosensitizer, exhibits an excellent capacity for anticancer, neuroprotection, and elimination of microorganisms, especially when activated by light, potent anticancer and antimicrobial effects are obtained after photodynamic therapy. The mechanisms of its therapeutic effects involve the induction of cell death, inhibition of cell cycle progression, inhibition of the reuptake of amines, and inhibition of virus replication. The pharmacokinetics properties indicate that hypericin has poor water solubility and bioavailability. The distribution and excretion are fast, and it is metabolized in bile. The toxicity of hypericin is rarely reported and the conventional use of it rarely causes adverse effects except for photosensitization. Therefore, we may conclude that hypericin can be used safely and effectively against a variety of diseases. We hope to provide researchers with detailed guidance and enlighten the development of it.© 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.