title: Evaluation of volatile components from spikenard: valerena-4,7(11)-diene is a highly active sedative compound.
abstract: Valerena-4,7(11)-diene and beta-maaliene were isolated from spikenard for the first time, and the effects of inhaling these compounds were investigated. Both compounds reduced the locomotor activity of mice dose-dependently, even at a low dose. Valerena-4,7(11)-diene had a particularly profound effect, with the strongest sedative activity observed at a dose of 0.06%. Caffeine-treated mice that showed an area under the curve (AUC) for locomotor activity that was double that of controls were calmed to normal levels by administration of valerena-4,7(11)-diene. The continuous sleep time of pentobarbital-treated mice was prolonged by about 2.7 times with valerena-4,7(11)-diene, an effect similar to that of chlorpromazine administered orally.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Toru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yagura
authors.forename: Michiho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D027983:Aralia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002110:Caffeine / Q000494:pharmacology; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014835:Volatilization
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002110:Caffeine