Valeriana officinalis valerenic acid from

Boyadzhiev L, Kancheva D, Gourdon C, Metcheva D. Extraction of valerenic acids from valerian Valeriana officinalis L.) rhizomes. Pharmazie 2004 59(9) 727-728. 

The commercial valerian products consist of, or are derived from, the rhizome, roots, and stolons of Valeriana officinalis L. The crude herb is dried and may be used as is or to prepare an extract that can be used to make an oral solution, tablet, capsule, or tea. Active constituents of valerian include acetoxyvalerenic acid, 1-acevaltrate, baldrinal, didrovaltrate, hydroxyvalerenic acid, kessane derivatives, valeranone, valerenal, valerenic acid, and valtrate (Figure 65.1). 

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. 

Valerenic acid 279 is a constituent of the essential oil of the Valerian plant (Valeriana officinalis) that can be isolated from the roots of this planL Valerenic acid acts as a subtype-selective "y-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAa) receptor (GABAaR) agonist. Since GABAaR is an... 

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