Valerian Extract Research Articles

A pilot study of the use of dry dog food as an alternative attractant in mesocarnivore studies

Abstract Dry dog food is a potential attractant for carnivores, but it is scarcely used in mesocarnivore studies. We tested its efficiency by placing 50 independent sampling stations consisting in trios of camera traps baited with either dry dog food and valerian extract and a control without any attractant. We obtained 84 independent contacts including 39 mesocarnivore sightings in 150 camera-night samples. Community composition estimates were affected by attractants: diversity was higher and dominance smaller when using dry dog food than when using valerian extract. Dry dog food elicited three times more contacts than control cameras (mean ± SE = 0.48 ± 0.04 vs 0.15 ± 0.02 contacts/camera). Our results suggest the potential efficiency of dry dog food as an alternative attractant, either alone or used in combination with other traditional inedible baits in mesocarnivore studies.

Valerian and valeric acid inhibit growth of breast cancer cells possibly by mediating epigenetic modifications

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) is a popular and widely available herbal supplement used to treat sleeping disorders and insomnia. The herb’s ability to ameliorate sleep dysfunction may signify an unexplored anti-tumorigenic effect due to the connection between circadian factors and tumorigenesis. Of particular interest are the structural similarities shared between valeric acid, valerian's active chemical ingredient, and certain histone deacteylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which imply that valerian may play a role in epigenetic gene regulation. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the circadian-related herb valerian can inhibit breast cancer cell growth and explored epigenetic changes associated with valeric acid treatment. Our results showed that aqueous valerian extract reduced growth of breast cancer cells. In addition, treatment of valeric acid was associated with decreased breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, colony formation and 3D formation in vitro in a dose- and time-dependent manner, as well as reduced HDAC activity and a global DNA hypomethylation. Overall, these findings demonstrate that valeric acid can decrease the breast cancer cell proliferation possibly by mediating epigenetic modifications such as the inhibition of histone deacetylases and alterations of DNA methylation. This study highlights a potential utility of valeric acid as a novel HDAC inhibitor and a therapeutic agent in the treatment of breast cancer.

Efficacy of Valerian Extract on Sleep Quality after Coronary Artery bypass Graft Surgery: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

To assess the effect of valerian root extract on the sleep quality of patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The patients who participated in this triple-blind clinical trial were selected by permuted block randomization. The participants were assigned to the valerian (n=36) and placebo (n=36) groups. The valerian group received 530 mg of valerian capsules for 30 nights after CABG surgery, and the placebo group received 530 mg of the placebo capsules containing wheat flour. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) were assessed on four occasions, including the baseline, the 3rd, 14th and 30th days following intervention. The odds ratio of worsened sleep quality significantly varied over time (the interaction of time and group) in the valerian group compared to the placebo group in various dimensions including total sleep quality (P=0.001), sleep latency (P<0.01), sleep duration (P=0.020), sleep efficiency (P=0.001) and daytime dysfunction (P=0.025). No significant difference was observed in the alterations of the odds ratio of PT in the two groups over time. (P=0.371). The consumption of oral valerian root extract over 30 nights could significantly improve the patients' sleep quality safely after CABG surgery.

Which bait should I use? Insights from a camera trap study in a highly diverse cerrado forest

Identifying the most appropriate bait for a camera trap study is an important step in sampling design, as some baits may perform better than others in attracting different animal species. In this study, we compare the vertebrate communities detected using five different widely used baits (i.e., fruit, sardines, valerian extract, a mix of sweet fruits and peanut butter, and a combination of valerian extract and sardines). We assess their performance and characterize the species best detected by each bait in the diverse Cerrado biome. We identified a total of 46 species of vertebrates: 15 mammals, 4 reptiles, and 27 birds. The baits differed in their estimates of community composition, richness, and abundance. In general, valerian extract detected fewer individuals and species than any of the other baits. Fruits detected the largest number of bird species. Sardines detected the largest number of species overall and were the best bait for felines and reptiles. Baits of an animal origin performed similarly to those of a plant origin. Our study shows that baits should be selected based on the objective of the study.

Effect of Valerian Extract on GABRB3 Gene MRNA Expression and Sedation in BALB/C Mice

Background: Valerian, also known as Setwall, Baldrianwurzel, or Phu is an herbaceous perennial plant from Europe and Asia, ubiquitously dispersed in almost all countries with a pH of 6-7. Valeriana officinalis is often used to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, fatigue, seizures, epilepsy, and depression as traditional medicine for 2000 years. The main constituent of Valeriana officinalis is Valerenic acid with hydroxyl and acetone group derivatives. Valerenic acid has anxiolytic, tranquilizing, and sleep-inducing effects that have been demonstrated in both animal studies and clinical trials. Valerenic acid inhibits catabolism-enzyme induced breakdown of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) in the brain resulting in sedation. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the most important brain inhibitory neurotransmitter with key roles in the regulation and function of the central nervous system. The sedative effect of Valerian extract is facilitated by the GABAA receptor β3 subunit. GABRB3 gene is a ligand-gated ion channel that encodes the GABAA receptor β3 subunit. GABRB3 also functions as a receptor for diazepam and other anesthetic drugs (i.e. phenobarbital). Valerian influences the presynaptic component of GABA-ergic neurons that affect the release of synaptic GABA. Valerian also inhibits GABA reuptake and GABA catabolism by inhibiting the enzyme GABA transaminase. On that basis, this study aims to determine the effect of valerian extract on GABRB3 gene mRNA expression and sedative effect in BALB/c mice. Objective: This is an experimental study using an animal model, with a posttest-only control group design to determine the effect of Valerian extract on GABRB3 gene mRNA expression and sedative effect in BALB/c mice. Methods: Twenty selected BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into four groups; each group consisting of 5 mice. Group A (negative control) was given 5 ml of aqua dest (distilled water). Group B (positive control) was given 0.025 mg/10 g of diazepam. Group C (treatment group 1) was given 2.5 mg/10 g of Valerian extract, and group D (treatment group 2) was given 5 mg/10 g of Valerian extract. The drugs were administered for seven days through a gastric gavage. Rotarod test was performed on the seventh day. A blood sample of 1 ml was taken on the first day before drug administration and after the rotarod test on the seventh day to be analyzed using RT-PCR. Results: GABRB3 gene mRNA expression showed a significant increase in group B, C, and D (p &lt;0.0001). There was a significant difference between group C and D. The examination of motor coordination functions (Rotarod test) showed a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) between group A and group B, between group A and group C, and between group A and group D. There was no significant difference between group B and both group C and D. Conclusions: GABRB3 gene mRNA expression was increased significantly after the administration of Valerian extract. Based on the Rotarod test, Valerian extract and Diazepam had a clinically similar sedation effect. A higher dose of Valerian extract does not yield a higher level of GABRB3 gene mRNA expression nor sedative effects.

Medication management of autonomic nervous system disorders in adolescents with tuberculosis

To manage autonomic disorders in adolescents with tuberculosis, 100 people from 12 to 15 years old were examined and randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 received standard anti-tuberculosis therapy, and in Group 2, additionally to standard therapy, comprehensive treatment with Magne B6was used for 2 months, and then Valerian extract was used for another 2 months. For comparison, 50 healthy adolescents were examined. Before treatment, all adolescents with tuberculosis experienced a decrease in heart rate variability, a pronounced autonomic imbalance with the prevalence of sympathicotonia and overexertion of compensatory mechanisms. In Group 1, during the comprehensive treatment there were an increase in SDNN and Mo and decrease in AMo and tension index at rest. Active orthostatic test (AOT) was accompanied by a significant increase in SDNN, Mo and a decrease in AMo, which indicated an increase in the activity of the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system and decreased activity of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system. In the group receiving standard therapy, hypersympathycotonia persisted and manifested through significant (p &lt; 0.05) reduction in such parameters as SDNN, increased heart rate, AMo, and Mo shift to short intervals. Medication management resulted in the vegetative balance by increasing heart rate variability, reducing hypersympathicotonia, improving the autonomic support of the cardiovascular system at rest and during AOT.

In silico screening of GABA aminotransferase inhibitors from the constituents of Valeriana officinalis by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation study.

Modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels has been required in various disorders. GABA itself cannot be directly introduced into central nervous system (CNS) because of the blood brain barrier; inhibition of GABA aminotransferase (GABA-AT), which degrades GABA in CNS, has been the target for the modulation of GABA levels in CNS. Given that root extract of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used for millennia as anti-anxiolytic and sedative, in silico approach was carried out to investigate valerian compounds exhibiting GABA-AT inhibiting activity. The 3D structure of human GABA-AT was created from pig crystal structure via homology modeling. Inhibition of GABA-AT by 18 valerian compounds was analyzed using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations and compared with known GABA-AT inhibitors such as vigabatrin and valproic acid. Isovaleric acid and didrovaltrate exhibited GABA-AT inhibiting activity in computational analysis, albeit less potent compared with vigabatrin. However, multiple compounds with low activity may have additive effects when the total extract of valeriana root was used in traditional usage. In addition, isovaleric acid shares similar backbone structure to GABA, suggesting that isovaleric acid might be a valuable starting structure for the development of more efficient GABA-AT inhibitors for disorders related with low level of GABA in the CNS.

Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Valeriana officinalis

The extracts of Valeriana officinalis (V. officinalis) are among the most widely used herbal medications worldwide. The roots of this medicinal plant have been shown to be rich in a diverse set of phytochemicals that are biologically active. Various classes of chemical compounds are present in the roots of V. officinalis including, terpenes valepotriates and lignans. The high amount of bioactive chemical components in the extracts of this plant gives it potential medicinal applications in different pathological conditions such as sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases, anxiety and depression. The most common medicinal use of V. officinalis extract is for the treatment of insomnia and improving the quality of sleep. Mild sedative effects of the extract, as well as the absence of any significant side effects, make it a popular alternative to the synthetic sedative drugs which are usually associated with undesirable adverse effects. In this review, the bioactive chemical components of V. officinalis and their pharmacological activities are highlighted. Also, the medicinal applications of valerian (V. officinalis) extracts and the possible mechanisms of action for the activities are discussed.

Analysis of GABRB3 gene mRNA expression and motor coordination after administration of valerian extracts (Valeriana officinalis) in BALB/c mice

Background: Valeriana officinalis has often been used to treat sleep disorders as a traditional medicine for 2000 years. The sedative effect of valerian extract is facilitated by the GABAA receptor β3 subunit. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of valerian extract on GABRB3 gene mRNA expression and sedative effect in BALB/c mice. Methods: This is an experimental preclinical study using a posttest-only control group design. A total of 20 BALB/c mice were randomly allocated into four groups consisting of five mice each. Group I was given 5 ml of Aqua Dest (distilled water), group II was given 0.025 mg/10 g of diazepam, group III was given 2.5 mg/10 g of valerian extract, and group IV was given 5 mg/10 g of valerian extract. The drugs were administrated for seven days through a gastric gavage. The rotarod test was performed on the seventh day. A blood sample was taken on the first day before drug administration and after the rotarod test on the seventh day to be analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: GABRB3 gene mRNA expression showed a significant increase in groups II, III, and IV (p &lt;0.0001). There was significant difference between group III and IV. The examination of motor coordination (rotarod test) showed a significant difference (p &lt;0.05) between group I and group II, between group I and group III, and between group I and group IV. There was no significant difference between group II and both groups III and IV. Conclusions: GABRB3 gene mRNA expression was significantly increased after the administration of valerian extract. Based on the rotarod test, valerian extract and diazepam had a clinically similar sedation effect. A higher dose of valerian extract does not yield a higher level of GABRB3 gene mRNA expression nor sedative effects.

Valeriana spp.: Biological Activities and New In vitro and In vivo Perspectives

Background:Valerian extract is widely used in dietary supplements as well as in conventional, traditional and alternative medicines. It is one of the most used herbal plants for the treatment of several disorders, mainly related to the digestive and the nervous systems. Dozens of chemical constituents with pharmacological and therapeutic properties were identified in essential oils and/or other extracts of valerian’s roots, rhizomes and aerial parts. This review summarizes and updates the current knowledge about the pharmacological properties of valerian, highlighting the most recent clinical, in vitro and in vivo findings, and intends to identify and propose future directions for further research regarding the effective biological effects of Valeriana spp.Methods:This review analyzed the scientific literature published in PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science.Results:Some reports are contradictory or inconclusive, probably due to the presence of chemically distinct chemotypes within a species of Valeriana or to different approaches adopted in different studies. Also, there are a number of studies showing that co-administration of herbal supplements and drugs may promote pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic herb-drug interactions.Conclusion:It is of utmost importance to clarify the state of the art related to Valeriana spp. therapeutic properties and their effects on metabolism.

An Unsuccessful Attempt to Confirm the Occurrence of 4′-O-β- d-Glucosyl-9-O-(6″-deoxysaccharosyl)olivil in Valerian Root

The lignan 4'-O-β- d-glucosyl-9-O-(6″-deoxysaccharosyl)olivil had previously been discovered in a methanolic extract of valerian root (Valeriana officinalis agg.) and characterized as a potent partial agonist at the A1 adenosine receptors. Today, countless scientific sources, webpages, and press articles mention this compound and discuss it as an active constituent for the sedative effect of this herbal drug. As no second report confirmed the occurrence of this lignan in valerian root during the 20 years since its first description in 1998, we intended to re-prove its presence by means of LCMS using other genuine or added lignans as a quantitative benchmark. Whilst those lignans were clearly detectable in methanolic valerian extracts of all six investigated batches of valerian root, no positive proof of 4'-O-β- d-glucosyl-9-O-(6″-deoxysaccharosyl)olivil was achieved. Our result suggests that this compound does not occur regularly in valerian root in the amounts expected from the single report on the occurrence of this compound.

Symptomatic hyponatraemia due to valerian extract use

Symptomatic hyponatraemia due to valerian extract use

The Synergistic Impact of the Aqueous Valerian Extract and Zinc Ions for the Corrosion Protection of Mild Steel in Acidic Environment

Abstract Herein, the corrosion inhibition performance of mild steel (MS) in an acidic environment (1.0 M HCl) by the valerian extract has been studied via weight loss method (WL), potentiodynamic polarization (PP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) techniques. The results illustrated that the inhibition efficiency, raised by the rise of the extract concentrations. The inhibitory mechanism depended on the creation of a stable plant extract-complex on the mild steel surface. Polarization studies confirmed that the extract behaved as a mixed type inhibitor. The corrosion inhibition was supposed to exist via adsorption of the main components of the valerian extract. Attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to investigate the change in the surface morphology and confirmed the corrosion inhibition mechanism. The complete study confirmed that the efficiency of the valerian extract as a safe, eco-friendly and exchange corrosion inhibition for mild steel in an acidic environment.

A combination of Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and Valeriana officinalis L. extracts for adjustment insomnia: A prospective observational study

Eschscholtzia californica Cham. and Valeriana officinalis L. have long been used for the management of sleep disorders and anxiety. Use of a fixed combination of these two plant extracts (Phytostandard® d’Eschscholtzia et de Valériane, PiLeJe Laboratoire, France) was investigated in an observational study. Adults with adjustment insomnia according to the criteria of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and with an insomnia severity index (ISI) score >7 enrolled by GPs took a maximum of four tablets of the eschscholtzia and valerian combination every night for four weeks. Within one month, ISI score decreased by approximately 30% (from 16.09 ± 3.67 at inclusion (V1) to 11.32 ± 4.78 at 4 weeks (V2); p < 0.0001). Night sleep duration significantly increased between the first and the fourth week of supplement intake, sleep efficiency increasing from 78.4% ± 12.5 to 84.6% ± 10.2 (p = 0.002). There was no improvement in sleep latency. The number of awakenings decreased by approximately 25% and their total duration by approximately 25 min. Anxiety score significantly decreased by 50% from 13.9 ± 7.3 at V1 to 6.7 ± 6.3 at V2 (p < 0.0001). The supplement was well tolerated. These results suggest that the tested combination of eschscholtzia and valerian extracts could be beneficial for the management of insomnia in adults and deserves further investigation.

Valerian extract alters functional brain connectivity: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Valerian root is the most commonly used herbal supplement for sedation and anxiolysis, but it is unknown whether it may affect functional brain connectivity. Our goal was to use electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate whether valerian root extract (VRE) affects resting-state connectivity changes and whether such changes are associated with clinical symptoms. This 4-week, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 64 nonclinical volunteers suffering psychological stress. The participants received VRE (100mg) or a placebo thrice daily. We examined VRE's therapeutic effects on anxiety and stress-related psychological constructs. Functional brain connectivity changes were measured as EEG coherence in the alpha and theta frequency bands. The VRE and placebo groups both exhibited significant postintervention improvements on all clinical scales, but no significant between-group differences in these changes were noted. Compared with the placebo group, the VRE group exhibited significantly greater increases in frontal brain region alpha coherence across four electrode pairs, and these changes were significantly correlated with anxiolysis. The VRE group also exhibited significantly greater decreases in theta coherence across another four electrodes pairs. Our findings indicate that VRE alters functional brain connectivity in relation to anxiety. Further EEG studies are needed to confirm VRE's neurophysiological effects.

길초근 추출 분말 제조 및 길초근 추출물의 수면 활성

길초근 추출 분말 제조 및 길초근 추출물의 수면 활성

Improving mesocarnivore detectability with lures in camera-trapping studies

Context Camera trapping is commonly employed for studying carnivores because it provides better data than do other methods, and with lower costs. Increasing the probability of detecting the target species can reduce parameter uncertainty and survey effort required to estimate density and occurrence. Different methods, including attractants and baits, can be used to increase detectability. However, their efficacy has rarely been quantitatively assessed. Aims To quantify the efficacy of scent and bait attractants to increase the detection probability of mesocarnivores by camera trapping. Methods We tested two scent lures, valerian extract (Val) and lynx urine (LU), their combination (Val–LU), and a non-reward bait (i.e. not accessible to the animal), raw chicken, as carnivore attractants in two protected areas of central Spain. We used camera-trapping records under an occupancy-modelling framework to estimate attractant-specific detection probabilities for six mesocarnivore species, and quantified their effects by comparing these estimates with the baseline (i.e. no attractant) detectability. Key results The weekly detection probability of four mesocarnivore species (red fox, Vulpes vulpes, stone marten, Martes foina, common genet, Genetta genetta, and Eurasian badger, Meles meles) significantly increased when Val–LU (between 0.11 ± 0.07 and 0.67 ± 0.05) or chicken (between 0.31 ± 0.02 and 0.77 ± 0.22) were used as attractant, when compared with baseline detectability (between 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.29 ± 0.05). Although rarely, wildcats (Felis silvestris) were mostly detected with Val–LU. The probability of detecting a species after k sampling occasions (7 days each) where it was present was highly improved with both Val–LU and chicken for all species (e.g. from 0.20 to 0.98 after four sampling occasions with chicken for the stone marten). Both attractants reduced the sampling time required to ascertain that a species was absent to between 42% and 15% of baseline values. Conclusions The tested attractants greatly improved the detectability of most Iberian mesocarnivores. Although chicken was preferable for some species such as stone marten, Val–LU is most efficient for detecting the whole mesocarnivore community, including rare species such as wildcats. Implications Attractant selection in studies using non-invasive detection methods must be supported by quantitative assessment of the detection probability associated to each attractant. Researchers must choose those attractants best fitting target species and study aims.

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Valerian on Number and Morphology of Raphe Magnus Astrocytes in Rat Model

Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Valerian on Number and Morphology of Raphe Magnus Astrocytes in Rat Model

English

The rapid iterative negative geotaxis (RING) assay is a commonly used behavioral test in Drosophila based on digital imaging of flies and requires minimal equipment and space. Larval mobility can be used to reliably determine the effect of drugs on locomotion in Drosophila larvae. The effects of Valeriana officinalis extract (VoE) and melatonin (ME) were tested in Drosophila melanogaster flies and larvae. In the RING assay, the locomotor activity of flies was reduced to 30.6, 72 and 70.4% when exposed to 10 mg/ml VoE, 8 mM ME, and a combination of 8 mM ME + 10 mg/ml VoE, respectively. The performance index (PI) was reduced to 68.9% (P = 0.0058), 33.3% (P = 0.0001), and 70% (P = 0.0013) when flies were exposed to 8 mM ME, 10 mg/ml VoE, and a combination of 8 mM ME + 10 mg/ml VoE, respectively. The number of body wall contractions of Drosophila larvae (nBWC) was reduced to 47.8, 37.7 and 38.5% when larvae were exposed to 8 mM ME, 10 mg/ml VoE, and a combination of 8 mM ME + 10 mg/ml VoE, respectively. The displacement velocity (V0) of larvae decreased significantly to 67.6, 60.1 and 55.6% when larvae were exposed to 8 mM ME, 10 mg/ml VoE, and a combination of 10 mg/ml VoE + 8 mM ME, respectively (P < 0.05). The effects of the VoE extract were not synergistic with ME as demonstrated by the RING assay, nBWC, and V0. Based on these results, valerian root extracts have demonstrated sedative effects that are better than those of melatonin in fruit flies, but did not show any increase in sedative effect when combined with melatonin. Key words: Valeriana officinalis roots, Melatonin, Drosophila melanogaster, negative geotaxis, sedative effect, antioxidant.

EVALUATION OF CRITERIA FOR THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXTRACTION PROCESS OF ROOT AND RHIZOMES OF TURKESTAN VALERIAN

The goal is to calculate the efficiency criteria of the technological process of percolation of Turkestan valerian roots and rhizomes, to work out an optimal technology for obtaining a thick extract of Turkestan valerian. Materials and methods . In the experiment used roots and rhizomes of Turkestan valerian, purified water and ethanol of 96% pharmacopoeial quality. When determining the optimum extraction conditions 70% ethyl alcohol was used as the extractant. The extraction method is percolation. Each extract fraction was taken at a DER 1: 1 step, the amount of dry residue in each fraction was estimated and the main indices of the process dynamics were calculated. Results. The total yield of extractives from 100 g of the raw materials was 10.79 g, which is more than 12.44%. The maximum number of stages of extraction for obtaining a thick extract is 7, a further increase in portions of the extractant does not lead to a significant increase in the yield of the finished product, which indicates the depletion of the raw material. Тhe optimal technology for getting a thick extract consists of the following classical steps: grinding raw materials, preparing the extractant, preparing herbal raw materials, infusion, percolation, settling, filtration, evaporation, packaging and marking. Conclusion. Based on the conducted research, a technology for obtaining a thick extract from the roots and rhizomes of Turkestan valerian has been tested and experimentally substantiated, a laboratory regulation and methods for its standardization have been developed.