Bornyl valerianate

The examination of a pure sample by Schimmel showed that it contains a-pinene, limonene, cadinene, borneol, and bornyl esters, probably induding bornyl valerianate other terpenes are also present. Commercial oils have specific gravities of 0 860 to 0-920 and optical rotations of - 3 to - 24. ... 

Present in citronella and valerian oils, tur penline, ginger, rosemary and spike oils. It is produced artificially by the elimination of hydrogen chloride from bornyl chloride (artifi cial camphor) or from isobornyl chloride, by the dehydrogenation of borneol and isobor-neol and by the action of elhanoic anhydride on bornylamine. Chiral. 

Valerian extracts show sedative and anxiolytic effects. Whereas passionflower and chamomile have relatively specific anxiolytic effects, valerian shows more general sedative effects, but all effects occur in a dose-dependent manner (Della Logia et al. 1981 Leuschner et al. 1993). The sedative effects of valerian extract are moderate when compared to diazepam and the neuroleptic chlorpromazine (Leuschner et al. 1993). However, valepotriates reverse the anxiogenic effects of diazepam withdrawal in rats in the elevated plus maze. This effect is dose dependent, effective at 12 mg/kg but not 6 mg/kg. Interestingly, the fragrant valerian compound bornyl acetate has sedative effects in mice, but only when inhaled (Buchbauer et al. 1992). 

Buchbauer G, Jager W, Jirovetz L, Meyer F, Dietrich H. (1992). [Effects of valerian root oil, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate and isobornyl acetate on the motility of laboratory animals (mice) after inhalation]. Pharmazie. 1992 Aug. 47(8) 620-2. 

Note Valerian consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis Linne (Fam. Valerianaceae). It has been employed as an antianxiety agent and sleep aid for more than 1000 years. The drug contains from 0.3 to 0.7% of an unpleasant-smelling volatile oil containing bornyl acetate and the sesquiterpenoids, valerenic acid, and acetoxyvalerenolic acid. Also present is a mixture of lipophilic iridoid principles known as valepotriates. These bicyclic monoterpenoids are quite unstable and occur only in the fresh plant or in material dried at temperatures under 40°C. Although the specific active principals of valerian have not been determined, it is possible that a combination of the sesquiterpenoids and the valepotriates may be involved. The drug may be administered as a tea prepared from 2 to 3 g of the dried herb or equivalent amounts of a tincture or extract may be employed. 

Valerian Valeriana officinalis (-)-Bornyl acetate (62), 3-methylbutanoic acid 95,105... 

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