title: Biological and analytical characterization of two extracts from Valeriana officinalis.
abstract: The anticoronaryspastic and antibronchospastic activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. roots were investigated in anaesthetized guinea-pigs and the results were correlated with the qualitative/quantitative chemical composition of the extracts in order to account for some of the common uses of this plant. The protective effects of orally administered ethanolic and aqueous extracts (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were evaluated against pitressin-induced coronary spasm and pressor response in guinea-pigs and were compared with those of nifedipine. Furthermore, the protective effects against histamine-induced and Oleaceae antigen challenge-induced bronchospasm were evaluated. Finally, the two valerian extracts were analytically characterized by qualitative and quantitative chromatographic analysis. The results showed that the two valeriana extracts possessed significant anticoronaryspastic, antihypertensive and antibronchospastic properties. These were similar to those exhibited by nifedipine and are due to the structural features of the active principles they contain. This study justifies the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of some respiratory and cardiovascular disorders.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaco-Biological Department, School of Pharmacy, University of Messina, Vill. SS. Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy. circosta@pharma.unime.it
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Circosta
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Pasquale
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Samperi
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pino
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Occhiuto
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006632:Histamine; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D029592:Oleaceae / Q000737:chemistry; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014632:Valerian / Q000737:chemistry*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014667:Vasopressins
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014667:Vasopressins; D006632:Histamine