title: Inhalation administration of valerena-4,7(11)-diene from Nardostachys chinensis roots ameliorates restraint stress-induced changes in murine behavior and stress-related factors.
abstract: Dried Nardostachys chinensis roots contain sesquiterpenoids that are widely used as herbal tranquilizers. We previously identified the highly sedative sesquiterpenoid valerena-4,7(11)-diene (VLD) from this plant. In the present study, we investigated stress reducing effects of VLD and the associated mechanisms of action. Application of 15-min restraint stresses induced excitatory behaviors in mice. Immobility times in the forced swim test and sleeping times in the pentobarbital sleep test were shortened in the stressed group by 47% and 43%, respectively, compared with the control group. Furthermore, restraint stress increased serum corticosterone levels by 75%, and cerebral serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) levels. Inhaled VLD (300 µg/cage) suppressed stress-induced excitatory behaviors and significantly reduced stress-induced blood corticosterone, cerebral 5-HT, and DA levels. These results suggest that VLD interacts with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic-adrenomedullary system. These interactions appear to involve GABAergic and D2 antagonist activities. Moreover, tests in anosmic and intravenously treated mice showed that the sedative effect of inhaled VLD was expressed via olfactory stimulation and pulmonary absorption. Although more studies are required to further elucidate the properties of this compound, our studies suggest that VLD may be an effective anti-stress aromatherapy for humans.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University.
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takemoto
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Omameuda
authors.forename: Michiho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fukuda
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaneko
authors.forename: Akinori
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akaike
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D032404:Nardostachys / Q000737:chemistry*; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000187:drug effects; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C576163:valerena-4,7(11)-diene; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine; D003345:Corticosterone