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At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Valerian extract Ze 911 inhibits postsynaptic potentials by activation of adenosine A1 receptors in rat cortical neurons.

In this study we evaluated the adenosine A1 receptor-mediated effect of valerian extract (Ze 911) on postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in pyramidal cells of the rat cingulate cortex in a slice preparation. We first observed that N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA, 0.01 - 10 microM), an adenosine A1 receptor agonist, inhibited PSPs in a concentration-dependent manner. The CPA (10 microM)-induced inhibition was antagonized by 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, 0.1 microM), an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist. Ze 911 concentration dependently (0.1 - 15 mg/mL) inhibited PSPs in the presence of the adenosine A2A receptor antagonist 1,3,7-trimethyl-8-(3-chlorostyryl)xanthine (CSC, 0.2 microM) and adenosine deaminase (1 U/mL). The maximal inhibition induced by 10 mg/mL was completely antagonised by DPCPX (0.1 microM), an A1 receptor blocker. The data suggest that activation of adenosine A1 receptors is involved in the pharmacological effects of the valerian extract Ze 911.

Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonists↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Valerian use for sleep disturbances related to rheumatoid arthritis.

Complementary therapies are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for symptoms such as sleep disturbance. The herb valerian may be useful as a mild sleep aid in clinical populations, such as persons with rheumatoid arthritis. This article reviews valerian to inform healthcare providers of potential uses and safety considerations.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed2003

Acute pharmacological effects of temazepam, diphenhydramine, and valerian in healthy elderly subjects.

Elderly insomniacs are often treated pharmacologically with benzodiazepines, antihistamines, or natural products. A double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the comparative pharmacodynamics of single doses of temazepam (15 and 30 mg), diphenhydramine (50 and 75 mg), and valerian (400 and 800 mg) in 14 healthy elderly volunteers (mean age, 71.6 years; range, 65-89). Assessments were made at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hours postdosing with use of validated measures of subjective sedation and mood (visual analogue scales, Tufts University Benzodiazepine scale) and psychomotor performance (manual tracking and digit symbol substitution tests). Temazepam had dose-dependent effects on sedation and psychomotor ability with a distinct time course. Temazepam 30 mg had the most detrimental effect on psychomotor ability (p < 0.001 compared with all other treatments). Temazepam 30 mg and both doses of diphenhydramine elicited significantly greater sedation than placebo (p < 0.05, all), and temazepam had the greatest effect. There was no difference in sedation scores between 50 and 75 mg diphenhydramine. Sedative effects were slightly lesser with 15 mg temazepam and were not significant in comparison with placebo. Psychomotor impairment was evident after administration of 75 mg diphenhydramine in comparison with placebo on the manual tracking test (p < 0.05); this was less than the impairment with 30 mg temazepam (p < 0.001) but similar to that with 15 mg temazepam (NS). No psychomotor impairment was detected with 50 mg diphenhydramine. Valerian was not different from placebo on any measure of psychomotor performance or sedation.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Effect of a fixed valerian-Hop extract combination (Ze 91019) on sleep polygraphy in patients with non-organic insomnia: a pilot study.

A pilot study with a fixed extract combination Ze 91019 of valerian and hop was conducted in 30 patients suffering from mild-moderate, non-organic insomnia. The diagnosis was confirmed by polysomnographic standard examinations. The patients were treated with 2 tablets in the evening. Each tablet contains 250 mg valerian extract and 60 mg hop extract. A polysomnographic re-examination after 2 weeks of treatment revealed declines in the sleep latency and the wake time. As a consequence the sleep efficiency increased. Sleep stage 1 (S1) was reduced and the slow wave sleep increased. In addition, the patients judged their being refreshed in the morning by assigning a rating of 1 to 6. They reported an improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. No adverse events were observed. Based on these findings a pivotal study can be designed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2001

Valepotriates and valerenic acids in commercial preparations of valerian available in Australia.

Thirty-one commercial valerian preparations available in Australia, including teas, tablets, capsules and liquids, were analysed by HPLC for valepotriates, valerenic acid and valerenic acid derivatives. The concentration of valerenic acid and its derivatives ranged from < 0.01 to 6.32 mg/g of product. Powder capsules, on average, contained the highest concentration of valerenic acids (2.46 mg/g) and liquids the lowest concentration (0.47 mg/ml). The mean concentration of valerenic acid in the five products standardized against valerenic acid (3.56 mg/g) was significantly higher than in the 26 non-standardized products (0.89 mg/g). There was a significant relationship between valerenic acids content and added valerian root for the standardized products but not for the non-standardised products. Valepotriates were found at low levels (< 1.0 mg/g) in some teas but were not detected in any of the finished products.

Australia↗
PubMed1992

[Effects of valerian root oil, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate and isobornyl acetate on the motility of laboratory animals (mice) after inhalation].

The aromatherapeutical use of commercial valerian root oil (Chinese origin) and of pure fragrance compounds--borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate (main constituent of the proved valerian root oil) and isobornyl acetate--as potentially drugs with sedative effects after inhalation was investigated in an animal experiment (mice). In additional analyses the mice were treated i.p. by caffeine and distinct sedative effects were observed only by inhalation of the cited substances.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

In vitro release of valerenic and hydroxyvalerenic acids from valerian tablets.

Although most commercial valerian formulations are coated tablets not any comparison study of their drug release profiles has been published so far. The main objective of this work is to establish a drug release test suitable for studying and comparing different valerian tablets. Thus, hydroxyvalerenic and valerenic acid concentrations were assayed by HPLC using a C18 Kromasil (200 x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) column and a mobile phase containing methanol and an orthophosphoric acid solution 0.5% v/v in water at a ratio of 75:25 at a constant flow rate of 1 ml/min. Saturation solubilities for hydroxyvalerenic and valerenic acid at pH 6.8 were 26 +/- 5.1 and 1 +/- 0.6 microg/ml, respectively. Usually for drugs with such low solubility values, their oral absorption and hence bioavailability are limited by their dissolution characteristics. A dissolution test was conducted according to the general method 2 (paddles) of USP 24 using 500 ml buffer medium (pH 6.8) at 50 rpm. Five different formulations were studied and compared: one uncoated tablet formulation and four marketed coated tablets. The uncoated tablet formulation had the fastest release profile, whereas the coated tablets manifested very different release patterns, depending on the type of formulation. Because of these differences in drug release pattern not every tablet formulation may be appropriate for the same clinical indications. Clinical data are required to confirm the correlation between drug release pattern and the therapeutically value of each formulation.

Biological Availability↗
PubMed1980

[Chemical weed control in the cropping of medicinal plants. Part 1: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) (author's transl)].

More than 40 herbicides have been tested in field trials with valerian over a period of several years. The following herbicidies have proved best suited: chloropham for application in autumn after planting, metobromurone for spraying in the early spring at the commencement of sprouting, nitrofen or a nitrofen-simazine compound preparation for application in May. The utilization of a sequence of herbicides led to a 90% reduction of the weed cover and a 65% reduction of the manual work needed for weed control. The yield and the essential oil and valepotriate contents of valerian were not impaired. The results from residue analyses are presented.

Chlorpropham↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Synaptosomal GABA release as influenced by valerian root extract--involvement of the GABA carrier.

The effect of an aqueous extract obtained from the roots of Valeriana officinalis was investigated on the uptake and release of GABA in synaptosomes isolated from rat brain cortex. Aqueous extract of valerian inhibited the uptake and stimulated the release of [3H]GABA, either in the absence or in the presence of K+ depolarization. The release was Na(+)-dependent and independent of the presence of Ca2+ in the external medium. It is concluded that valerian extract releases [3H]GABA by reversal of the GABA carrier, which is Na(+)-dependent and Ca(2+)-independent. This increase in [3H]GABA release appears to be independent from Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and the membrane potential.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1995

Valerian overdose: a case report.

We present the first reported case of valerian (Valeriana officianalis) overdose. This herb is popular as a sedative but little is known about its toxic effects. The patient presented with mild symptoms, all of which resolved within 24 h. Valerian overdose, at approximately 20 times the recommended therapeutic dose, appears to be benign.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed1989

Double blind study of a valerian preparation.

Valerian root contains two substances of special pharmacological interest--valepotriates and sesquiterpenes. The former, which has been used for standardization of the drug, is cytotoxic. The latter has no such effect. Both have sedative effects. A double blind test has been carried out on a preparation (VALERINA NATT) containing primarily sesquiterpenes. When compared with placebo it showed a good and significant effect on poor sleep (p less than 0.001). Forty-four percent reported perfect sleep and 89% reported improved sleep from the preparation. No side effects were observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of water-soluble polysaccharides from the roots of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.).

The insoluble plant residues, obtained after preparation of medicinal tinctures from the roots of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) by classical and ultrasound-assisted extraction with aqueous ethanol in a pilot plant, were subsequently treated with hot water to isolate the accessible polysaccharide cell wall components. At almost equal amounts of the hot-water extractable material, the yields of the recovered polysaccharides were lower in the ultrasonical experiment. This is due to the fact that a part of accessible polysaccharides were already solubilised by the aqueous ethanol and recoverable from the medicinal tincture. Therefore, the net yield of extracted polysaccharides was enhanced in the ultrasonical procedure. This fact as well as the sugar composition and structural features of the isolated polysaccharides suggest that ultrasonication have attacked the integrity of cell walls, released and degraded its most accessible polysaccharides (pectic polysaccharides and starch) and increased also the extractibility of its less accessible components--xylan, mannan and glucan. The water-soluble polysaccharide fractions from both the conventional and ultrasonical experiments exhibit significant immunostimulatory activities in mitogenic and comitogenic thymocyte tests.

Particle Size↗
PubMed1999

The influence of valerian treatment on "reaction time, alertness and concentration" in volunteers.

A randomised, controlled, double-blind trial was performed on 102 male and female volunteers to determine whether reaction time, alertness and concentration might be impaired by treatment with a native valerian root extract (VRE). The effect was first examined the morning after a single evening dose of VRE (600 mg LI 156) vs. flunitrazepam (FNZ) (1 mg) and placebo (PL) (trial section A), and then after two weeks of evening administration of VRE (600 mg LI 156) vs. PL (trial section B). 99 volunteers were analysed in section A and 91 in section B. The primary criterion was the median of reaction time (MRT) measured with the Vienna Determination Test. Secondary criteria were cognitrones (alertness test), tracking test (two-handed co-ordination), sleep quality (VIS-A, Vis-M), further VDT parameters, and safety criteria. The single administration of LI 156 did not impair the reaction abilities, concentration and co-ordination. After 14 days of treatment, the equivalence of VRE and PL was proven by confirmative analysis concerning the improvement of MRT (p = 0.4481). Evaluation of the secondary criteria were consistent with the results of the primary criterion. It is concluded that neither single nor repeated evening administrations of 600 mg of VRE have a relevant negative impact on reaction time, alertness and concentration the morning after intake.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Treating depression comorbid with anxiety--results of an open, practice-oriented study with St John's wort WS 5572 and valerian extract in high doses.

Depressive disorders in comorbidity with anxiety disorders represent an frequently diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The studies quoted here prove that the symptoms associated with anxiety that severely afflict patients can be clearly improved more quickly with a combination therapy of St John's wort extract and valerian extract than with St John's wort monotherapy. The combination therapy was well tolerated, no significant side-effects occurred. Further studies are necessary to compare the combination treatment with other forms of therapy (serotonin- and noradrenalin re-uptake inhibitors).

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed1998

Over-the-counter psychotropics: a review of melatonin, St John's wort, valerian, and kava-kava.

Use and availability of alternative healthcare products have revived in the last few years. The prevalence of supplement use in the United States is largely unknown but is thought to be widespread. In this article, four of the common substances used to treat emotional problems are reviewed. The plant or substance description, clinical indications, evidence of therapeutic efficacy, mechanisms of therapeutic actions, dosages and regimens, different commercially available preparations, and adverse effects and toxicities are described for melatonin, St John's wort, valerian, and kava-kava. That a product is "natural" does not mean that it is either safe or effective. Many supplements are potent drugs that lack sufficient data on safety, dose-response relationships, drug interactions, and purity.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1999

The scientific basis for the reputed activity of Valerian.

The underground organs of members of the genus Valeriana (Valerianaceae), as well as related genera such as Nardostachys, are used in the traditional medicine of many cultures as mild sedatives and tranquillizers and to aid the induction of sleep. V. officinalis is the species most commonly used in northern Europe and still retains its official pharmacopoeial status although it is most commonly encountered as an ingredient of herbal medicines. This plant is still the subject of considerable research aimed at establishing the chemical and pharmacological basis of the activity which has been clearly shown in a number of animal and clinical studies. The constituents of the volatile oil are very variable due to population differences in genetics and to environmental factors. The major constituents include the monoterpene bornyl acetate and the sesquiterpene valerenic acid, which is characteristic of the species, in addition to other types of sesquiterpene. Some of these have been shown to have a direct action on the amygdaloid body of the brain and valerenic acid has been shown to inhibit enzyme-induced breakdown of GABA in the brain resulting in sedation. The non-volatile monoterpenes known as valepotriates were first isolated in 1966 and contribute to the overall activity by possessing sedative activity based on the CNS although the mode of action is not clearly known. The valepotriates themselves act as prodrugs which are transformed into homobaldrinal which has been shown to reduce the spontaneous motility of mice. More recent studies have shown that aqueous extracts of the roots contain appreciable amounts of GABA which could directly cause sedation but there is some controversy surrounding the bioavailability of this compound. Another recent finding is the presence of a lignan, hydroxypinoresinol, and its ability to bind to benzodiazepine receptors. Valerian is a good example of both the negative and positive aspects of herbal drugs. The considerable variation in its composition and content as well as the instability of some of its constituents pose serious problems for standardization but the range of components which contribute to its overall activity suggest that it may correct a variety of underlying causes of conditions which necessitate a general sedative or tranquilizing effect.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed2004

Extraction of valerenic acids from valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) rhizomes.

Extraction of valerenic acids (valerenic, acetoxyvalerenic and hydroxyvalerenic) from dry ground rhizomes of valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) was studied. The effect of ethanol concentration in the solvent, extraction temperature and drug particle size on extraction kinetics were investigated and the optimum values of these process parameters were determined for the case of intensively stirred two-phase dispersion. It was found that increased processing temperature favors extraction kinetics, but provokes moderate degradation of valerenic acids.

Ethanol↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Peculiarities in the effect of tofisopam and valerian extract on short-term memory and anxiety states in healthy humans].

Repeated administration of the anxiolytic tofisopam (grandaxin) reduced anxiety and improved both visual and verbal short-term memory in young male and female humans. The expression of these effects depends on the daytime (morning versus evening) and on the sex of volunteers. Valerian extract did not produce significant effect on the anxiety states and short-time memory.

Adolescent↗