Valeriana Officinalis Root Research Articles

Optimizing the extract yield of bioactive compounds in Valeriana officinalis root: a D-optimal design

It is estimated that 80% of all synthetic drugs are derived from medicinal plants, and nowadays, many synthetic drugs are derived from medicinal plants. Valeriana officinalis can treat many diseases of the nervous system. A crucial aspect of valerian extract is that it inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells. To optimize the yield of bioactive compounds in the V. officinalis root extraction, a response surface methodology-based D-optimal design was used. To fulfill this aim, the effects of various factors such as solvent type and concentration, mixing temperature, ultrasound time, and drying method were examined. The optimal conditions for solvent percentages, mixing temperature, ultrasound time, solvent type, and drying methods were determined to be 94.88%, 25 °C, 48.95 min, methanol, and microwave, respectively, with a desirability of 0.921. The predicted valerenic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in V. officinalis extract were 1.19 (mg/g DW), 8.22 (mg/g DW), 5.27 (mg/g DW), and 92.64%, respectively. In optimal conditions, the extracted amounts of valerenic acid, total phenols, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were 2.07 mg/g DW, 7.96 mg/g DW, 5.52 mg/g DW, and 78.68%, respectively, which were consistent with the model predicted amounts (based on 95% prediction interval). This study could be useful as a model for demonstrating the efficacy of microwave drying to maximize the biochemical content of V. officinalis, as well as the antioxidant activity of the root extracts of V. officinalis on industrial scale.

Comparison of the adsorption efficiency of cationic (Crystal Violet) and anionic (Congo Red) dyes on Valeriana officinalis roots: Isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamic studies, and error functions

In this study, the removal of basic violet 3 (CV) and direct red 28 (CR) dyes, which are commonly used in textile and hazardous for environmental health, from wastewater by adsorption, using Valeriana officinalis roots was investigated. Characterization of Valeriana officinalis roots was performed by FTIR, SEM, BET-BJH, XRD, and pHpzc analyzes. The pores in the Valeriana officinalis roots have a BET surface area of 2.007 m2/g and an average pore size of 2.76 nm, indicating that they were mesoporous. The average pore size of BJH is 1.90 nm, which is ideal for adsorption. The pHpzc of Valeriana officinalis was calculated as 4.5. Firstly, the optimum conditions including contact time, initial pH, adsorbent dosage, and concentration were determined. Afterward, the raw data obtained as a result of equilibrium experiments were applied to Freundlich, Langmuir, and D-R isotherms, and the adsorption efficiency was evaluated by determining the most suitable model. The qm values at 25 °C for CV and CR dyes from the Langmuir model were calculated as 476.2 and 166.7 mg/g. The data obtained from adsorption studies performed depending on the contact time were applied to the kinetics. From the kinetic parameters, it was determined that the adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order and the adsorption process occurred in three steps. Thermodynamic parameters were calculated by performing the experiments at 25–55 °C. Besides, error functions were calculated using the obtained theoretical and experimental adsorption capacities, and the accuracy and reproducibility of the adsorption were evaluated. Considering all the results, Valeriana officinalis roots were found to be a suitable adsorbent for the adsorption of cationic and anionic dyes from wastewater.

Acaricidal and antibacterial toxicities of Valeriana officinalis oils obtained by steam distillation extraction

The chemical compositions of the essential oil of Valeriana officinalis roots obtained by steam distillation method were analyzed by GC-MS. The 16 constituents were identified in the V. officinalis oil, and the most abundant compounds were patchouli alcohol (18.69%) and β-gurjunene (15.26%). Acaricidal effects of the V. officinalis oil were evaluated against Tyrophagus putrescentiae, Haemaphysalis longicornis larva and H. longicornis nymph by contact bioassay. The LD50 values against T. putrescentiae, H. longicornis larva and H. longicornis nymph were 28.01, 178.26 and 207.98 μg/cm2, respectively. Agar disc diffusion bioassay showed the antibacterial activity of the V. officinalis oil against foodborne pathogens, especially L. monocytogenes. These results showed that the essential oil of V. officinalis roots derived from USA has a potential for development as acaricide and antimicrobial.

Enhancement of valerenic acid production in Valeriana officinalis roots by methyl jasmonate-mediated transcriptional changes of sesquiterpene synthase genes

Valeriana officinalis (valerian), as a nutraceutical herb, is widely used for its sedative and hypnotic properties. It is known that C15 sesquiterpenoid valerenic acid (VA) is the active ingredient responsible for pharmacological effects of V. officinalis. To evaluate the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) concentrations (50 and 100 µM) in the modulation of expression patterns of the genes involved in valerenic acid (VA) biosynthesis, transcript abundance of identified sesquiterpene synthase (Sesqui-TPS) genes in the root of V. officinalis was monitored by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) within a 144 h time period. In addition, Valerenic acid contents were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The highest amount of VA (12.45 mg/g dry weight (DW)) was found at 100 µM MeJA with a 12 fold increase over control culture (1.03 mg/g DW) at exposure time of 72 h. Moreover, MeJA in a concentration dependent manner enhanced transcription rate of VoTPS1 and VoTPS7 genes. Accordingly, exposure to 100 µM MeJA for 24 h can be more effective in the induction of these genes than that observed for 50 µM. Such enhancement was correlated with increased VA accumulation suggesting that these genes may be responsible for the biosynthesis of intermediates involved in the VA-biosynthetic pathway. However, MeJA treatment seemed to have a less significant effect on VoTPS3 expression than VoTPS1 and VoTPS7 genes. This results provide insights for more effective biosynthesis of VA by MeJA-mediated transcriptional changes of putative sesqui-TPS.

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.

Kinetika sušenja i analiza skupljanja biomaterijala korenja Valeriana officinalis

Kinetika sušenja i analiza skupljanja biomaterijala korenja Valeriana officinalis

Valeriana officinalis root extract suppresses physical stress by electric shock and psychological stress by nociceptive stimulation-evoked responses by decreasing the ratio of monoamine neurotransmitters to their metabolites.

BackgroundIn this study, we investigate the effects of valerian root extracts (VE) on physical and psychological stress responses by utilizing a communication box.MethodsEight-week-old ICR mice received oral administration of VE (100 mg/kg/0.5 ml) or equal volume of distilled water in every day for 3 weeks prior to being subjected to physical or psychological stress for 3 days, which are induced by communication box developed for physical electric shock and psychological stress by nociceptive stimulation-evoked responses. The stress condition was assessed by forced swimming test and serum corticosterone levels. In addition, norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites such as 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol sulfate (MHPG-SO4) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the hippocampus and amygdala at 1 h after final stress condition, respectively.ResultsImmobility time and corticosterone levels were significantly increased in both the physical and psychological stress groups compared to the control group. The administration of VE significantly reduced these parameters in both the physical and psychological stress groups. In addition, compared to the control group, physical and psychological stress groups showed significantly increased levels of MHPG-SO4 and 5-HIAA in the hippocampus and amygdala, respectively. The administration of VE significantly suppressed the increase of MHPG-SO4 and 5-HIAA in the two stress groups.ConclusionThese results suggest that VE can suppress physical and psychological stress responses by modulating the changes in 5-HT and NE turnover in the hippocampus and amygdala.

Can Valeriana officinalis root extract prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after CABG surgery? A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

We hypothesized that valerian root might prevent cognitive dysfunction in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery patients through stimulating serotonin receptors and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Valeriana officinalis root extract on prevention of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 61 patients, aged between 30 and 70years, scheduled for elective CABG surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), were recruited into the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups who received either one valerian capsule containing 530mg of valerian root extract (1,060mg/daily) or placebo capsule each 12h for 8weeks, respectively. For all patients, cognitive brain function was evaluated before the surgery and at 10-day and 2-month follow-up by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) test. Mean MMSE score decreased from 27.03 ± 2.02 in the preoperative period to 26.52 ± 1.82 at the 10th day and then increased to 27.45 ± 1.36 at the 60th day in the valerian group. Conversely, its variation was reduced significantly after 60days in the placebo group, 27.37 ± 1.87 at the baseline to 24 ± 1.91 at the 10th day, and consequently slightly increased to 24.83 ± 1.66 at the 60th day. Valerian prophylaxis reduced odds of cognitive dysfunction compared to placebo group (OR = 0.108, 95% CI 0.022-0.545). We concluded that, based on this study, the cognitive state of patients in the valerian group was better than that in the placebo group after CABG; therefore, it seems that the use of V. officinalis root extract may prevent early postoperative cognitive dysfunction after on-pump CABG surgery.

Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats

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.

Comparative effects of a valerian extract and single compounds on sleep and body temperature in mice evaluated by telemetry

Traditional use of Valeriana officinalis L. suggests sleep promoting properties, yet contemporary observations in clinical trials and rodent models using the extract and isolated compounds are contradictory [1,2]. We evaluated locomotor activity and body temperature of mice using telemetry to obtain evidence of sleep promoting effects. This method provides a reduced variable environment which improves upon previous methodologies. A 70% ethanolic extract of Valeriana officinalis root (250, 500, and 1000mg/kg) was administered orally and data recorded for 180 minutes thereafter in male C57BL/6J mice. Oral administration of valerian extract had no effect on locomotor activity and body temperature compared to vehicle. Zolpidem (5mg/kg, positive control) significantly decreased locomotor activity by 57% (activity counts after 30min; control: 492.1±41.8, zolpidem: 212.6±44.2; p&lt;0.001) and body temperature by 0.57°C (ΔTmax at 18 minutes, control: 36.53±0.12°C, zolpidem: 35.96±0.13°C; p&lt;0.01) whereas caffeine (5mg/kg, negative control) induced an increase in activity of 47% (activity counts after 30 minutes; control: 492.1±41.8, caffeine: 725.1±76.4; p&lt;0.01) without affecting body temperature. In conclusion, telemetry is a simple, adequate method for the specific measurement of sleep promoting effects. The extract showed no significant difference to vehicle; yet, further studies on single compounds may help substantiate the use of Valeriana officinalis as insomnia treatment.

Pinoresinol-4,4′-di-O-β-d-glucoside from Valeriana officinalis root stimulates calcium mobilization and chemotactic migration of mouse embryo fibroblasts

Lignans are major constituents of plant extracts and have important pharmacological effects on mammalian cells. Here we showed that pinoresinol-4,4'-di-O-beta-D-glucoside (PDG) from Valeriana officinalis induced calcium mobilization and cell migration through the activation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor subtypes. Stimulation of mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) cells with 10 microM PDG resulted in strong stimulation of MEF cell migration and the EC(50) was about 2 microM. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), an inhibitor of G(i) protein, completely blocked PDG-induced cell migration demonstrating that PDG evokes MEF cell migration through the activation of the G(i)-coupled receptor. Furthermore, pretreatment of MEF cells with Ki16425 (10 microM), which is a selective antagonist for LPA(1) and LPA(3) receptors, completely blocked PDG-induced cell migration. Likewise, PDG strongly induced calcium mobilization, which was also blocked by Ki16425 in a dose-dependent manner. Prior occupation of the LPA receptor with LPA itself completely blocked PDG-induced calcium mobilization. Finally, PDG-induced MEF cell migration was attenuated by pretreatment with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor such as LY294002. Cells lacking downstream mediator of PI3K such as Akt1 and Akt2 (DKO cells) showed loss of PDG-induced migration. Re-expression of Akt1 (but not Akt2) completely restored PDG-induced DKO cell migration. Given these results, we conclude that PDG is a strong inducer of cell migration. We suggest that the pharmacological action of PDG may occur through the activation of an LPA receptor whereby activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway mediates PDG-induced MEF cell migration.

Valeriana officinalis kök ekstraktının antidepresan etkisinin zorlu yüzme testi ile değerlendirilmesi

Valeriana officinalis kök ekstraktının antidepresan etkisinin zorlu yüzme testi ile değerlendirilmesi

Neurocognitive Changes After Coronary Bypass Surgery

In this issue of Circulation , Djaiani and associates report that the processing of shed blood with a cell saver resulted in a significant reduction in postoperative neurocognitive dysfunction after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) in elderly patients.1 The authors further implied that this significant improvement in neurocognition was a result of less lipid embolization in those patients in whom a cell saver was used. The study was a randomized double-blinded trial that compared the use of a cell saver with cardiotomy suction (defined as control). Cardiotomy suction is a standard component of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), in which shed blood in the mediastinum is suctioned to a venous reservoir, where it is collected and then periodically reinfused through the arterial circuit to the patient. This technique was not used in patients in the cell saver group, but rather shed blood was suctioned via the cell saver system and processed, and red blood cells alone were infused to the patient through a similar arterial circuit. A standard 32-μm filter was used in the arterial pressure line in both groups. Article p 1888 Elderly patients who underwent CABG were chosen because it has been documented that these individuals are at increased risk to develop neurological dysfunction after cardiac surgery. The study was powered (n=209) to see a 50% reduction in cognitive dysfunction with additional patients added (for a total of 226 patients) to compensate for potential drop out, which turned out to be similar in both groups. The primary end point of neurocognitive evaluation was based on a battery of standardized and validated tests used to assess neuropsychological outcome. Evaluation was done at baseline and on follow-up at 6 weeks. In addition to neurocognitive decline, Figure 1 in Djaiani et al also demonstrates improvement in the battery of 12 tests documenting …

Determination of Metal Content in Valerian Root Phytopharmaceutical Derivatives by Atomic Spectrometry

Phytopharmaceuticals containing Valerian are used as mild sleep-inducing agents. The elemental composition of 3 different marks of Valeriana officinalis roots commercially available in the Argentinian market, their teas, and a commercial tincture have been studied. The content of Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn was determined in phytopharmaceuticals by flame atomic emission/absorption spectrometry, electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry, and ultrasonic nebulization coupled to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Prior to analyses of the samples, a digestion procedure was optimized. The analytical results obtained for Fe, Al, Ca, and V in the solid sample study were within the range 100-1000 mg/kg, and for Mn, Zn, and Pb within the range 10-100 mg/kg. Cadmium was found at levels up to 0.0125 mg/kg.

A new valepotriate: 7- epi-deacetylisovaltrate from Valeriana officinalis

A new valepotriate (VII) has been isolated from Valeriana officinalis roots and its structure and stereochemistry determined. Comparison with didrovaltrate is made and a correction of its C-1 configuration proposed.