Valerian antidepressant effects

In a manner similar to imipramine, an ethanol extract of valerian root was found to prevent immobility induced by a forced-swimming test in rats, suggesting a potential antidepressant effect of valerian (Sakamoto et al. 1992). 

A 30% ethanol extract of the Japanese valerian root ( Hokkai-Kisso ) extract (4.1 g/kg and 5.7 g/kg) and imipramine (20 mg/kg) also demonstrated statistically significant antidepressant effects compared to placebo as measured by the forced swimming test in rats (26). As in the Oshima study, kessyl glycol diacetate exhibited no antidepressant activity in the forced swimming test. Because the forced swimming test can be affected by stimulants, anticholinergics, and antihistamines as well as antidepressants, the effect of the valerian extract on reserpine-induced hypothermia, a test for antidepressant activity and inhibition of neuronal reuptake of monoamines, was measured. Both valerian (11.2 g/kg) and imipramine (20 mg/kg) reversed reserpine-induced hypothermia, suggesting that the antidepressant effect of valerian is caused by reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, as with conventional antidepressants. 

Antidepressant effects of valerian were identified by Oshima and associates using a methanol extract of Valeriana fauriei roots (Oshima et al., 1995). They found a strong antidepressant activity in mice as measured by the forced swimming test. One active component isolated was a-kessyl alcohol, a volatile oil component. At 30 mg/kg intraperitoneally, a-kessyl alcohol exhibited an effect similar to imipramine, a commonly used antidepressant. Kessanol and... 

In rats and mice orally administered alcohol extracts of valerian at doses up to 1000 mg/kg, anxiolytic and antidepressant effects were observed without sedative or muscle relaxant activity (Hattesohl et al. 2008). 

A range of medications is available to treat insomnia, ranging from herbal preparations such as valerian to the recently introduced z compounds, zopiclone, zolpidem and zaleplon. Many drugs used for other primary purposes have sedative and sleep-inducing properties as side effects these include many tricyclic antidepressants and antihistamines. 

Diazepam is better indicated if insomnia is associated with daytime anxiety. Other benzodiazepines prescribed for insomnia include nitrazepam, flur-azepam, loprazolam, lormetazepam and temazepam. The non-benzodiazepine hypnotics zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone are not licensed for long-term use. The sedative antipsychotic promethazine hydrochloride is sometimes used to facilitate sleep, with a 25-50 mg recommended dose. Melatonin has proved effective for some clients, mostly in regulating the sleep/waking cycle. Although evidence of efficacy is limited, some clients use herbs such as valerian and chamomile. If Mr AB will finally be diagnosed with depression, a trial with an antidepressant will be indicated. 

The combination of herbal sedatives such as valerian (V, officinalis), passion flower (Passiflora species), and anticholinergic Solanaceae (Atropa belladonna, Datura stromonium, Hyocyamus niger, and Mandragora offici-narum) with alcohol or antihistamines can potentiate the effects of antidepressants, antihistaminics, and antispasmodics, causing drowsiness and obtunding the ability to use machinery (D Arcy, 1993 De Smet et al., 1996). 

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