title: Neuropharmacological profile of hydroalcohol extract of Valeriana edulis ssp. procera roots in mice.
abstract: Valerian is the common name given to the crude drug consisting of the underground organs of the species Valeriana. Valeriana edulis ssp. procera Meyer is the Mexican valerian. The aim of the present work was to elucidate the neuropharmacological profile of a hydroalcohol extract of Valeriana edulis roots at doses of 100, 300 and 1000 mg/kg in several experimental models. A dose-dependent anticonvulsant and anxiolytic-like effect of V. edulis was demonstrated. In addition, the extract decreased rotarod performance and traction force and prolonged the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time at high doses. Concomitant administration of valerian extract and pentobarbital showed a synergistic effect on motor coordination and traction force in mice. The anxiolytic-like effect of V. edulis was compared with diazepam and with diphenhydramine and doxylamine, the latter in order to consider the H(1)-antihistamine effect as another possibility to explain, at least in part, the central nervous system depressant effect of valerian. These results also underlie the medical and industrial use of this species and allowed the conclusion that the extract of V. edulis has central nervous depressant properties similar to, but with some differences to V. of ficinalis, a very well known species.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Química, Departamento de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacan 04510, México D.F., México.
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Ma Eva
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: González-Trujano
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arrieta
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Enciso-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Andrés
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Navarrete
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010424:Pentobarbital; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018517:Plant Roots; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D014632:Valerian
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010424:Pentobarbital; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole