Valeriana species

Bos, R., Woerdenbag, H.J., De Smet, P., and Scheffer, J.J.C. (1997) Valeriana species. In De Smet, P., ed. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs. Berlin Springer-Verlag. 

The difference in secondary metabolites between the three medicinally used Valeriana species imply that the pharmaceuticals prepared from the respective crude drugs also differ largely with regard to their chemical composition. However, legal demands do not exist on this point. Neverthless, several manufacturers have standardised their products, either on valepotriates or on valerenic acid and its derivatives. 

Valerian roGl, consisting of the iiiKierground parts of the collccltve species Valeriana officinalis Linne, Ircsii or carefiij) tlricd at or below 40 C. and its preparations in active doses. 

Valerian is native to Europe and Asia, but now grows in most parts of the world. Valeriana officinalis is the most commonly known and studied, but approximately 200 species are known (figure 6.1) (Kowalchick and Hylton 1987). Unless otherwise specified, the name valerian will be used here to refer to V. officinalis. Valerian grows 50 to 100 cm in height, with an erect stem with pinnate leaves and numerous small pink-white flowers at the top. The parts of the plant used medicinally are the roots and rhizome (figure 6.2). 

The content of valepotriates and sesquiterpenes varies across species of the Valeriana genus. For example, Valeriana officinalis has relatively high content of sesquiterpenes and low content of valepotriates, while Valeriana edulis has a high proportion of valepotriates and low content of sesquiterpenes (Lindahl and Lindwall 1989). 

Of about 200 species of the genus Valeriana, Valeriana officinalis is the one most commonly used medicinally (Plushner, 2000). The parts of this plant that are used for this purpose are the dried rhizomes and roots. 

Several species of plant also contain compounds that have been shown to act as agonists on benzodiazepine receptors. These include Valeriana officinalis which contains hydroxypinoresinol, Matricaria recutita which contains 5,7,4 -trihydroxyflavone, Passiflora coeruleus which contains chrysin and Karmelitter Geist which contains amentoflavin. Hypericum perforatum (St John s Wort) also contains unknown compounds which have affinity for... 

The amounts of valepotriates and baldrinals in valerian extracts depend on the botanical species root extracts of Valeriana officinalis contain up to 0.9% of valepotriates, compared with 2-4% and 5-7% of valepotriates in root extracts of Valeriana wallichii and Valeriana mexicana respectively. 

Isovaltrate and valtrate (valepotriates) and valeronone, an essential oil component, isolated from V. edulis ssp. procera Meyer (Valeriana mexicana ) caused suppression of rhythmic contractions in guinea pig ileum in vivo at a dose of 20 mg/kg administered intravenously via the jugular vein. The investigators also demonstrated that the same compounds as well as dihydrovaltrate isolated from the same valerian species produced relaxation of carbachol-... 

The genus Valeriana contains about 250 species in the world. Majority of representatives of this genus are distributed over the temperate regions. The three most important species that play a role in herbal medicine are V officinalis L., V. jatamansi Jones (synonym V. wallichii DC.) and V edulis Nutt, ex Torr. and Gray ssp. procera H.B.K. 

C H,gO, Mji 354.31. As hemihydrate mp. 208-210 C (decomp.), [a], -35.2° (HjO). TDLo 40 mg/kg (rat i.p.). C. is an experimental teratogenic agent. C. occurs as mixture with isomeric caffeoyl esters of quinic acid in numerous plants, e.g., Chrozo-phora. Cinchona, Scabiosa, Valeriana, Senecio, and Hypericum species and was originally isolated from Liberian coffee in which it is present in about 6.5 to 8%. C. forms colored complexes with many metal ions, e.g., Fe(III), that are typical for catechols (1,2-ben-zenediols). 

ValepotriatM. V. are iridoids in which the OH groups have been esterified with isovaleric acid and acetic acid, they also possess an exocyclic epoxide ring. They occur in up to 5% in the herbage of various Valerian-aceae species, e. g., Valeriana officinalis (common va-... 

Documented effects The biological activity is due to the presence of saponins, and removal of the saponins from the tincture leads to complete loss of the pharmacological properties (Ivanova 1963). The sedative effect of this species is nearly twice as strong as that of Valeriana (Tolmachev 1976). The roots of this species reduce excitability of the nervous system. Clinical tests showed that application of an alcohol infusion stopped or noticeably reduced chest pain as well as nervous and cardiovascular excitation caused by hypodermic introduction of caffeine (Akopov 1990). 

Documented effects The closely related species Polemonium caeruleum L. contains saponins that act as an expectorant. The plant has also been shown to have hemostatic effects and acts as a highly effective sedative (8-10 times that of Valeriana), but can be fatal to experimental animals at high doses. Preparations are used as expectorants, sedatives, treatments for stomach and duodenum ulcers, epilepsy, and chronic and acute bronchitis (Akopov 1990). 

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). 

Yarrow (A. millefolium s.l), arnica, and even chamomile originate still partly from wild collection in Central and Eastern Europe, and despite several attempts to cultivate spikenard Valeriana celticd), a tiny European mountain plant with a high content of patchouli alcohol, this species is still wildly gathered in Austria and Italy (Novak et al., 1998, 2000). 

The genus Valeriana includes about 250 northern temperate species also from South Africa and the Andes 20 species indigenous to Europe 16 species are found in the United States and Canada. Parts used are the dried rhizomes and roots, commonly called valerian roots. Major producers of common valerian root include Belgium, France, the former U.S.S.R, and China, while India is the major producer of Indian valerian. 

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