Document Detail


Modulation of GABAA receptors by valerian extracts is related to the content of valerenic acid.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18095218     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Valeriana Officinalis L . is a traditionally used sleep remedy, however, the mechanism of action and the substances responsible for its sedative and sleep-enhancing properties are not fully understood. As we previously identified valerenic acid as a subunit-specific allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, we now investigated the relation between modulation of GABAA receptors by Valerian extracts of different polarity and the content of sesquiterpenic acids (valerenic acid, acetoxyvalerenic acid). All extracts were analysed by HPLC concerning the content of sesquiterpenic acids. GABAA receptors composed of alpha 1, beta 2 and gamma 2S subunits were expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and the modulation of chloride currents through GABAA receptors (IGABA) by Valerian extracts was investigated using the two-microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Apolar extracts induced a significant enhancement of IGABA, whereas polar extracts showed no effect. These results were confirmed by fractionating a highly active ethyl acetate extract: again fractions with high contents of valerenic acid exhibited strong receptor activation. In addition, removal of sesquiterpenic acids from the ethyl acetate extract led to a loss of I (GABA) enhancement. In conclusion, our data show that the extent of GABAA receptor modulation by Valerian extracts is related to the content of valerenic acid.
Authors:
Gabriele Trauner; Sophia Khom; Igor Baburin; Birgit Benedek; Steffen Hering; Brigitte Kopp
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2007-12-19
Journal Detail:
Title:  Planta medica     Volume:  74     ISSN:  0032-0943     ISO Abbreviation:  Planta Med.     Publication Date:  2008 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-01-25     Completed Date:  2008-04-15     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0066751     Medline TA:  Planta Med     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  19-24     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacognosy, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Chloride Channels / drug effects
Female
GABA Modulators / administration & dosage,  pharmacology*,  therapeutic use
Indenes / chemistry
Oocytes / drug effects,  metabolism
Patch-Clamp Techniques
Phytotherapy*
Plant Extracts / administration & dosage,  chemistry,  pharmacology*,  therapeutic use
Plant Roots
Receptors, GABA-A / drug effects*,  metabolism
Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
Valerian*
Xenopus laevis
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Chloride Channels; 0/GABA Modulators; 0/Indenes; 0/Plant Extracts; 0/Receptors, GABA-A; 0/Sesquiterpenes; 3569-10-6/valerenic acid

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