The Claim

St. John’s wort induces cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein, resulting in significantly reduced plasma concentrations of cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, and immunosuppressants, leading to therapeutic failure.

Source: Synergy, Additive Effects, and Antagonism of Drugs with Plant Bioactive Compounds

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
34score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

St. John’s wort increases the activity of liver enzymes that break down certain drugs, causing lower levels of those drugs in the blood and reducing their effectiveness.

See the scientific wording

St. John’s wort induces cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein, leading to significantly reduced plasma concentrations of drugs such as cyclosporine, oral contraceptives, and immunosuppressants, which may result in therapeutic failure.

Why this might work

St. John’s wort triggers a cellular switch that tells the liver and intestines to make more enzymes and pumps that break down and push out certain drugs, so the drugs leave the body too fast and don’t work.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Synergy, Additive Effects, and Antagonism of Drugs with Plant Bioactive Compounds

    This study shows that natural plant substances, like those in St. John’s wort, can make your body break down certain medicines too fast, so they don’t work as well—like when birth control or transplant drugs stop being effective.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.