Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats.

Abstract

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is a popular and widely available herbal supplement, primarily used to treat insomnia and anxiety. Until recently, its mechanism of action has remained unknown. Neurobiological research has begun to show that the herb, with its active valerenic acid, interacts with the GABA(A)-ergic system, a mechanism of action similar to the benzodiazepine drugs. This series of experiments sought to corroborate these findings with behavioral measures, compare them to the benzodiazepine diazepam, and to analyze the chemical composition of Valeriana officinalis. Rats were administered either ethanol (1 ml/kg), diazepam (1mg/kg), valerian root extract (3 ml/kg), valerenic acid (3mg/kg), or a solution of valerenic acid and exogenous GABA (75 microg/kg and 3.6 microg/kg, respectively) and assessed for the number of entries and time spent on the open arms of an elevated plus maze. Results showed that there was a significant reduction in anxious behavior when valerian extract or valerenic acid exposed subjects were compared to the ethanol control group. The evidence supports Valeriana officinalis as a potential alternative to the traditional anxiolytics as measured by the elevated plus maze.

• Authors: K Murphy, Z J Kubin, J N Shepherd, R H Ettinger
• Journal: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (Phytomedicine) Vol. 17 Issue 8-9 Pg. 674-8 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1618-095X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 20042323 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
• Copyright: (c) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Indenes
• Plant Extracts
• Sesquiterpenes
• valerenic acid
• Ethanol
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Diazepam

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Anxiety Agents (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Anxiety (drug therapy)
• Diazepam (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Ethanol (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Indenes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Maze Learning (drug effects)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Plant Roots
• Rats
• Sesquiterpenes (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Valerian (chemistry)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (pharmacology, therapeutic use)