Studies on the cytological and biochemical effects of valerian in somatic and germ cells of Swiss albino mice.
Valerian is widely known for its use as a sedative and an anti-anxiety drug in the folk medicine. Literature reports suggested valerian to induce genotoxicity in vitro (ECV304 cells) by reactive oxygen species-mediated mechanism; however, there are no reports on its genotoxicity and/or the epigenetic mechanism in vivo. In view of the folkloric significance, it was found worthwhile to (1) determine the genotoxic effects of valerian in somatic and germ cells of mice and (2) investigate the role of epigenetic mechanisms. The protocol included the oral treatment of mice with different doses (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg/day) of valerian for 7 days. The following experiments were conducted: (i) cytological studies on micronucleus test, (ii) cytogenetic analysis for meiotic chromosomes, (iii) cytological analysis of spermatozoa abnormalities, (iv) quantification of proteins and nucleic acids in testicular cells and (v) estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nonprotein sulfhydryl (NP-SH) in hepatic and testicular cells. The treatment increased the frequency of micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE) and decrease the ratio of PCE to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) in the femur. It caused aberrations in chromosomes of the testis and induced spermatozoa abnormalities. The concentration of nucleic acids was depleted in the testicular cells. These changes might be attributed to the epigenetic mechanisms as revealed by an increase in the concentrations of MDA and a decrease of NP-SH levels in hepatic and testicular cells observed in the present study. The observed changes may be ascribed to terpenoids (valepotriates) and flavonoids (6-methylapigenin and 2S(-)-hesperidin) present in valerian.
Al-Majed
Abdulhakeem A
AA
Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, PO Box 2457, Riyadh-11451, Saudi Arabia. majed107@hotmail.com
Al-Yahya
Abdulaziz A
AA
Al-Bekairi
A M
AM
Al-Shabanah
O A
OA
Qureshi
S
S
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000139:chemically induced; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008540:Meiosis / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D015162:Micronucleus Tests; D009153:Mutagens / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014632:Valerian / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity*
D009153:Mutagens; D009696:Nucleic Acids; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D008315:Malondialdehyde