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de Almeida TM, von Poser GL, Müller LG, Pereira PR, Cassel E, Vargas RMF, da Silva Nunes NJ, Driemeier D, Dallegrave E, de Faria Valle S, Kuze Rates SM. Oral Acute and Repeated-Doses Toxicity Study of Valepotriates from Valeriana glechomifolia (Meyer) in Mice. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2018; 16:96-103. [PMID: 29962347 DOI: 10.2174/1570163815666180629164332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Species of Valeriana show sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, which are associated with valepotriates. However, data about toxicity and safety of these compounds are still limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the toxicity of a valepotriate-enriched fraction (VAL) from Valeriana glechomifolia Meyer based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 423 and 407. METHODS In the acute study, CF1 mice were treated with a single dose of VAL (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) and observed for 14 days. In the repeated dose study, CF1 mice received single daily doses of VAL (30, 150 or 300 mg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle for 28 days. These doses were chosen based on previous results by our group and according to Guideline 407- OECD. RESULTS The acute study allowed to classify VAL in the hazard category 5. The repeat-dose study has shown that VAL 300 mg/kg delayed weight gain and reduced food consumption in the first week, probably due to transient sedative effects. The other doses had no effect on animals' ponderal evolution. At the end of the treatment, all groups had equal body weight and food consumption. None of the doses altered any behavioral, urinary, biochemical, hematological, anatomic or histological parameters. CONCLUSION A valepotriate-enriched fraction from Valeriana glechomifolia presents relatively low oral acute toxicity and does not induce evident toxicity after oral repeated treatment (at least up to 300 mg/kg) in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tielle Moraes de Almeida
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Biologicas: Farmacologia e Terapeutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Gilsane Lino von Poser
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Liz Girardi Müller
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paula Reis Pereira
- Laboratorio de Patologia, Faculdade de Veterinaria, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Cassel
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Engenharia e Tecnologia de Materiais, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rubem Mario Figueiro Vargas
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Engenharia e Tecnologia de Materiais, Pontifícia Universidade do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - David Driemeier
- Laboratorio de Patologia, Faculdade de Veterinaria, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Eliane Dallegrave
- Departamento de Ciencias Basicas de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Ciencias da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stella de Faria Valle
- Laboratorio de Analises Clinicas Veterinarias, Faculdade de Veterinaria, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Stela Maris Kuze Rates
- Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Biologicas: Farmacologia e Terapeutica, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias Farmaceuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Mahmoudian A, Rajaei Z, Haghir H, Banihashemian S, Hami J. Effects of valerian consumption during pregnancy on cortical volume and the levels of zinc and copper in the brain tissue of mouse fetus. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 10:424-9. [PMID: 22500716 DOI: 10.3736/jcim20120411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) consumption in pregnancy on cortical volume and the levels of zinc and copper, two essential elements that affect brain development and function, in the brain tissues of mouse fetuses. METHODS Pregnant female mice were treated with either saline or 1.2 g/kg body weight valerian extract intraperitoneally daily on gestation days (GD) 7 to 17. On GD 20, mice were sacrificed and their fetuses were collected. Fetal brains were dissected, weighed and processed for histological analysis. The volume of cerebral cortex was estimated by the Cavalieri principle. The levels of zinc and copper in the brain tissues were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. RESULTS The results indicated that valerian consumption in pregnancy had no significant effect on brain weight, cerebral cortex volume and copper level in fetal brain. However,it significantly decreased the level of zinc in the brain (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Using valerian during midgestation do not have an adverse effect on cerebral cortex; however,it caused a significant decrease in zinc level in the fetal brain. This suggests that valerian use should be limited during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Mahmoudian
- Department of Anatomical Sciences and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Müller LG, Salles LA, Stein AC, Betti AH, Sakamoto S, Cassel E, Vargas RF, von Poser GL, Rates SMK. Antidepressant-like effect of Valeriana glechomifolia Meyer (Valerianaceae) in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2012; 36:101-9. [PMID: 21889562 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 08/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The antidepressant-like effect of a supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) Valeriana glechomifolia extract enriched in valepotriates was investigated in a mice tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). The SCCO2 extract decreased mice immobility in the FST (0.5-20 mg/kg p.o.) and elicited a biphasic dose-response relationship in the TST (1-20 mg/kg p.o.) with no alterations in locomotor activity and motor coordination (assessed in the open-field and rota-rod tests, respectively). The anti-immobility effect of the SCCO2 extract (5 mg/kg, p.o.) was prevented by mice pre-treatment with yohimbine (1 mg/kg, i.p., an α2 adrenoceptor antagonist), SCH 23390 (15 μg/kg, s.c., D1 dopamine receptor antagonist) and sulpiride (50 mg/kg, i.p., D2 dopamine receptor antagonist). However, mice pre-treatments with prazosin (1 mg/kg, i.p., α1 adrenoceptor antagonist) and p-chlorophenilalanine methyl ester (4×100 mg/kg/day, i.p., a serotonin synthesis inhibitor) were not able to block the anti-immobility effect of the SCCO2 extract. Administration (p.o.) of the SCCO2 extract (0.25 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg), desipramine (5 mg/kg) and bupropion (3 mg/kg) at sub-effective doses significantly reduced mice immobility time in the FST. These data provide the first evidence of the antidepressant-like activity of V. glechomifolia valepotriates, which is due to an interaction with dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liz G Müller
- Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Wills RB, Bone K, Morgan M. Herbal products: active constituents, modes of action and quality control. Nutr Res Rev 2007; 13:47-77. [DOI: 10.1079/095442200108729007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAn overview is given of the current position of medicinal herbs in general in relation to usage, market and production, types of pharmacological activity and how they differ from conventional drugs. The increasing importance of quality and manufactured products is also discussed. A more detailed consideration of these issues is given in relation to echinacea, valerian and St John's wort as these herbs are well studied, are market leaders and have widespread community usage.
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Yao M, Ritchie HE, Brown-Woodman PD. A developmental toxicity-screening test of valerian. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2007; 113:204-9. [PMID: 17611059 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2006] [Revised: 05/16/2007] [Accepted: 05/28/2007] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Valerian (Valeriana Officinallis) is a perennial plant used as a mild sedative for anxiety and for insomnia. It is also used in the treatment of gastrointestinal cramps and as a diuretic. It is traditionally contraindicated in pregnancy; however, there are no studies to warrant this warning. This study was performed to provide some information to fill this knowledge gap. Female rats were orally dosed with a valerian extract in 45% ethanol (supplied by MediHerb) daily on either gestation days (GD) 1-8 or 8-15. On GD 20, rats were sacrificed and fetuses, placentae and ovaries collected. The fetuses were weighed and examined for external malformations. No signs of maternal toxicity were evident. Results indicated that valerian had no adverse effects on fertility or fetal development. Valerian induced toxicity when GD 10.5 embryos were cultured for 26h in rat serum to which 6 microl/ml of the extract was added. The results of the present preliminary study showed that consumption of up to 65 times the human dose of the valerian extract supplied by Mediherb did not have an adverse reproductive outcome in rats. This may be a result of low pH of the extract removing the potentially cytotoxic epoxide moieties. However, consumption of other preparations of valerian, particularly if they contained considerable levels of valepotriates could have a very different outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yao
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, P.O. Box 170, Lidcombe NSW 2141, Australia
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Mkrtchyan A, Panosyan V, Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. A phase I clinical study of Andrographis paniculata fixed combination Kan Jang versus ginseng and valerian on the semen quality of healthy male subjects. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2005; 12:403-9. [PMID: 16008115 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2004.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The safety of different doses of Kan Jang--a fixed combination of Andrographis paniculata special extract (SHA-10) and Acanthopanax senticosus--compared to two extensively used medicinal plants, Valeriana officinalis and Panax ginseng in the form of standardized extracts, has been examined. A phase I clinical study was designed to evaluate the effect on semen quality of healthy males in terms of spermatogenesis and quality of semen. The results of the study revealed no significant negative effect of Kan Jang on male semen quality and fertility, but rather a positive trend with respect to the number of spermatozoids in the whole ejaculate, the percentage of active (normokinetic) forms of spermatozoids, and fertility indexes, together with a decrease in the percentage of inactive (diskinetic) forms of spermatozoids. In the group receiving ginseng, no significant negative effects on the fertility parameters were revealed and there was a clear decrease in the percentage of diskinetic forms of spermatozoids. Subjects receiving valerian showed a temporary increase in the percentage of normokinetic spermatozoids and a decrease in diskinetic forms, but these changes had no effect on fertility indices. The results indicate that Kan Jang, ginseng and valerian are safe with respect to effects on human male sterility when administered at dose levels corresponding to approximately 3 times the human daily dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mkrtchyan
- Republican Medical Scientific Centre of Dermatology and Diseases Disseminated by Sexual Contacts, Yerevan, Armenia
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Affiliation(s)
- Tannis M Jurgens
- College of Pharmacy, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Taibi DM, Bourguignon C, Taylor AG. Valerian Use for Sleep Disturbances Related to Rheumatoid Arthritis. Holist Nurs Pract 2004; 18:120-6. [PMID: 15222600 DOI: 10.1097/00004650-200405000-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Complementary therapies are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for symptoms such as sleep disturbance. The herb valerian may be useful as a mild sleep aid in clinical populations, such as persons with rheumatoid arthritis. This article reviews valerian to inform healthcare providers of potential uses and safety considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M Taibi
- Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia, School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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Costa LG, Steardo L, Cuomo V. Structural Effects and Neurofunctional Sequelae of Developmental Exposure to Psychotherapeutic Drugs: Experimental and Clinical Aspects. Pharmacol Rev 2004; 56:103-47. [PMID: 15001664 DOI: 10.1124/pr.56.1.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The advent of psychotherapeutic drugs has enabled management of mental illness and other neurological problems such as epilepsy in the general population, without requiring hospitalization. The success of these drugs in controlling symptoms has led to their widespread use in the vulnerable population of pregnant women as well, where the potential embryotoxicity of the drugs has to be weighed against the potential problems of the maternal neurological state. This review focuses on the developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity of five broad categories of widely available psychotherapeutic drugs: the neuroleptics, the antiepileptics, the antidepressants, the anxiolytics and mood stabilizers, and a newly emerging class of nonprescription drugs, the herbal remedies. A brief review of nervous system development during gestation and following parturition in mammals is provided, with a description of the development of neurochemical pathways that may be involved in the action of the psychotherapeutic agents. A thorough discussion of animal research and human clinical studies is used to determine the risk associated with the use of each drug category. The potential risks to the fetus, as demonstrated in well described neurotoxicity studies in animals, are contrasted with the often negative findings in the still limited human studies. The potential risk fo the human fetus in the continued use of these chemicals without more adequate research is also addressed. The direction of future research using psychotherapeutic drugs should more closely parallel the methodology developed in the animal laboratories, especially since these models have already been used extremely successfully in specific instances in the investigation of neurotoxic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucio G Costa
- Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, University of Bari Medical School, Italy
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Chung KF, Lee CKY. Over-the-counter sleeping pills: a survey of use in Hong Kong and a review of their constituents. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2002; 24:430-5. [PMID: 12490346 DOI: 10.1016/s0163-8343(02)00210-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the composition of over-the-counter (OTC) sleeping pills in Hong Kong and reviewed the current knowledge about the hypnotic efficacy and safety of their major herbal and dietary supplement constituents. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of OTC sleep aids at drug stores in a residential district of 0.3 million population and literature search using MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, China Journal Net, China Biomedical Database and relevant English and Chinese literature. We identified 17 brands of OTC sleeping pill: eleven of them were composed of mixtures of Chinese and Western herbal agents and six brands contained 3 mg of melatonin. The Chinese herbal mixture suanzaorentang, comprising zizyphi spinosi semen, poria cocos, ligusticum wallichii, anemarrhenae rhizoma and glycyrrhizae radix in ratio of 7:5:2:1:1, was the most common OTC sleeping pill available in the survey. Our literature review showed that kava, valerian and melatonin were the better-researched herbs and dietary supplements, however, the data on hypnotic efficacy and safety was inadequate to support their clinical use. More rigorous investigations of the risk-benefit relationship of herbal agents and dietary supplements used for insomnia are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Fai Chung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Poyares DR, Guilleminault C, Ohayon MM, Tufik S. Can valerian improve the sleep of insomniacs after benzodiazepine withdrawal? Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2002; 26:539-45. [PMID: 11999905 DOI: 10.1016/s0278-5846(01)00305-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The authors studied the sleep of patients with insomnia who complained of poor sleep despite chronic use of benzodiazepines (BZDs). The sample consisted of 19 patients (mean age 43.3+/-10.6 years) with primary insomnia (DSM-IV), who had taken BZDs nightly, for 7.1+/-5.4 years. The control group was composed of 18 healthy individuals (mean age 37+/-8 years). Sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) of the patients was analyzed with period amplitude analysis (PAA) and associated algorithms, during chronic BZD use (Night 1), and after 15 days of a valerian placebo trial (initiated after washout of BZD, Night 2). Sleep of control subjects was monitored in parallel. RESULTS Valerian subjects reported significantly better subjective sleep quality than placebo ones, after BZD withdrawal, despite the presence of a few side effects. However, some of the differences found in sleep structure between Night 1 and Night 2 in both the valerian and placebo groups may be due to the sleep recovery process after BZD washout. Example of this are: the decrease in Sleep Stage 2 and in sigma count; the increase in slow-wave sleep (SWS), and delta count, which were found to be altered by BZD ingestion. There was a significant decrease in wake time after sleep onset (WASO) in valerian subjects when compared to placebo subjects; results were similar to normal controls. Nonetheless, valerian-treated patients also presented longer sleep latency and increased alpha count in SWS than control subjects. CONCLUSIONS The decrease in WASO associated with the mild anxiolytic effect of valerian appeared to be the major contributor to subjective sleep quality improvement found after 2-week of treatment in insomniacs who had withdrawn from BDZs. Despite subjective improvement, sleep data showed that valerian did not produce faster sleep onset; the increase in alpha count compared with normal controls may point to residual hyperarousabilty, which is known to play a role in insomnia. Nonetheless, we lack data on the extent to which a sedative drug can improve alpha sleep EEG. Thus, the authors suggest that valerian had a positive effect on withdrawal from BDZ use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalva R Poyares
- Sleep Laboratory of the Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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