Journal
EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Volume 2011, Issue -, Pages 1-7Publisher
HINDAWI LTD
DOI: 10.1155/2011/403591
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Funding
- Research Centers for Minority Institution (RCMI/NIH) [G12 RR03051]
- University of Puerto Rico
- Medical Sciences Campus [2 R25 GM061838-05]
- Humacao Campus [1 R25 GM 075348-01A1]
- NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES [G12RR003051] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES [R25GM075348, R25GM061838] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities [G12MD007600] Funding Source: NIH RePORTER
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Although GABA neurotransmission has been suggested as a mechanism for Valeriana officinalis effects, CNS depression can also be evoked by inhibition of ionotropic (iGluR) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR). In this study, we examined if aqueous valerian extract interacted with glutamatergic receptors. Freshly prepared aqueous valerian extract was incubated with rat cortical synaptic membranes in presence of 20 nM[H-3]Glutamate. Aqueous valerian extract increased [3H] Glutamate binding from 1 x 10(-7) to 1 x 10(-3) mg/mL. In the presence of (2S,1'S,2'S)-2-(Carboxycyclopropyl)glycine (LCCG-I) and (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-Dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV), Group II mGluR agents, valerian extract markedly decreased [H-3] Glutamate binding, while (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl) propanoic acid) (quisqualic acid, QA), Group I mGluR agonist, increased [H-3] Glutamate binding. At 0.05mg/mL aqueous valerian extract specifically interacted with kainic acid NMDA and AMPA receptors. Valerenic acid, a marker compound for Valeriana officinalis, increased the [H-3] Glutamate binding after 1.6 x 10(-2) mg/mL, and at 0.008 mg/mL it interacted only with QA (Group I mGluR). The selective interactions of valerian extract and valerenic acid with Group I and Group II mGluR may represent an alternative explanation for the anxiolytic properties of this plant.
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