Pharmacological in vitro screening of the central monoaminergic effects of Valeriana officinalis extracts

Abstract

Pharmaceutical preparations of valerian root and rhizome (Valeriana officinal is L., Valerianaceae) have widespread use for sedation and treatment of hysteric states, anxiety, stress and insomnia (Morazzoni and Bombardelli 1995; Houghton, 1999; Weiss and Fintelmann, 2000; Cropley et al., 2002). Pharmacological investigations of valerian were mostly concentrated on the components of the essential oil - valerenic acids, non-glycosidated iridoids named valepotriates and its degradative products - baldrinals, but also on several lignans.