Valepotriates from Valeriana officinali

The structure for valerosidate is incorrect in the previous Report (Vol. 5, p. 17). A new valepotriate has been isolated from Valeriana officinalis and shown spectroscopically to be 7-epideacetylisovaltrate (103) 193 it is also shown to be related to didrovaltrate (104) stereochemically, but in view of the recently reported absolute configuration of didrovaltrate (104)192 this assignment must be questioned. The occurrence of iridoids in the Argentine ant Iridomyrmex humilis has been re-investigated.194... 

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. 

Pharmacological investigations using a particular valepotriate fraction called Vpl2 extracted from the roots of Valeriana officinalis (L.) have shown antiarrhythmic activity and ability to dilate coronary arteries in experimental animals. Moderate positive inotropic and a negative chronotropic effect were also observed. Vpt2 contains valtratum (50%), valeridine (25%), and valechlorin (3%), with trace amounts of acevaltrate, dihydrovaltratum, and epi-7-desacetyl-isovaltrate (Petkov, 1979). 

Valerian consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Valeriana officinalis (Valerianaceae). Valeriana wallichii and V. edulis also serve as commercial sources of the drug. Species from related genera also are known to contain the active principles. Valerian has been used as a calmative in nervousness and hysteria for at least 1000 years. A series of water-soluble glycosides, collectively called valepotriates, are responsible for the mild tranquilizing activity. These preparations are widely available in Europe (Charlwood and Charlwood, 1991 Tyler et al., 1981). 

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