title: Commercial valerian interactions with [3H]Flunitrazepam and [3H]MK-801 binding to rat synaptic membranes.
abstract: Valeriana officinalis extracts are used in folkloric medicine for their sedative, hypnotic and tranquilizer effects. Using [3H]flunitrazepam binding as an indicator, the interactions of commercial Valerian extracts with GABA(A) receptors were examined. There was considerable fluctuation among the different extracts, some mildly enhanced [3H]flunitrazepam binding, others had no effect and others had inhibitory effects, independent of standardization by valerenic acid. Central depression can also be accomplished by a reduction of excitatory transmission. Valerian extracts had modest inhibitory effects on [3H]MK-801 binding, an indicator of NMDA-Valerian interactions. Spectral analyses (UV region) did not show marked differences among the different extracts. The inhibitory effects of one of the extracts on [3H]flunitrazepam binding was somewhat stable, while on [3H]MK-801 binding the inhibitory effects were lost within months. These results suggest that particular care should be taken in analysing and interpreting results from commercial Valerian preparations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, PO Box 365067, San Juan, Puerto Rico. jg_ortiz@yahoo.com
authors.forename: José G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rassi
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Maldonado
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: González-Cabrera
authors.forename: Igmeris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects*; D013570:Synaptic Membranes / Q000187:drug effects*; D014316:Tritium; D014632:Valerian
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D014316:Tritium; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate