| Valeriana officinalis root extracts have potent anxiolytic effects in laboratory rats. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20042323 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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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. |
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Authors:
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K Murphy; Z J Kubin; J N Shepherd; R H Ettinger |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Date: 2009-12-29 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology Volume: 17 ISSN: 1618-095X ISO Abbreviation: Phytomedicine Publication Date: 2010 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-05-24 Completed Date: 2010-12-03 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9438794 Medline TA: Phytomedicine Country: Germany |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 674-8 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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(c) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychology, Eastern Oregon University, LaGrande, OR 97850, USA. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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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* |
| Grant Support | |
ID/Acronym/Agency:
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//Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Anti-Anxiety Agents; 0/Indenes; 0/Plant Extracts; 0/Sesquiterpenes; 3569-10-6/valerenic acid; 439-14-5/Diazepam; 56-12-2/gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; 64-17-5/Ethanol |
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