title: Effects of valerian extract on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats.
abstract: The present study was performed to investigate the effects of valerian extract on the sleep-wake cycle using sleep-disturbed model rats. A significant shortening in sleep latency was observed with valerian extract at doses of 1000 and 3000 mg/kg. On the other hand, valerian extract had no significant effects on total times of wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (non-REM) sleep, or REM sleep, even at a dose of 3000 mg/kg. Valerian extract at doses of 1000 and 3000 mg/kg showed a significant increase in the delta activity during non-REM sleep. In conclusion, valerian extract may be useful as an herbal medicine having not only sleep-inducing effects but also sleep quality-enhancement effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuaki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shinomiya
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujimura
authors.forename: Yonsu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Chiaki
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kamei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003700:Delta Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000187:drug effects*; D014632:Valerian; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts