Analysis of GABRB3 Protein Level After Administration of Valerian Extract (Valeriana officinalis) in BALB/c mice

Abstract

Background: Valeriana officinalis is most commonly used as traditional medicine. Valerenic acid is the primary component of Valerian officinalis which inhibits the catabolism of enzyme induced breakdown of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) in the brain, resulting in sedation. The aim of this study is to determine the level of GABRB3 protein, as part of major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, after administration of Valerian extracts in BALB/c mice. Material and Methods: This is an experimental study using animal model with post test-only controlled group design. Twenty healthy adult male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, negative control group (Aquadest), positive control group (Diazepam 0.025 mg/10 g), first treatment group (Valerian extract 2.5 mg/10 g) and second treatment group (Valerian extract 5 mg/10 g). The drugs were administered via gastric gavage for seven consecutive days. The blood was drawn from each mice on the first day (before treatment) and on the seventh day of experiment (2 hours after treatment). The blood sample was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to determine the GABRB3 protein level. Results: GABRB3 protein level in BALB/c mice after administration of Valerian extract was increased significantly in both treatment group (p <0.0001). The highest increment in protein levels was found in the first treatment group with an increase of 2.988 µmol/L, compared with the second treatment group with an increase of 2.146 µmol/L. Conclusion: GABRB3 protein level in BALB/c mice were increased after administration of Valerian extract. Administration of higher dose does not yield in higher GABRB3 protein level nor sedative effect.

Systemic lidocaine administration influences NF-kβ gene expression, NF-kβ and TNF- α protein levels on BALB/c mice with musculoskeletal injury

“…The number of mice was determined following the ethics of using experimental animals in health research, using the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement [ 19 , 20 ]. Federer's formula was used to determine the number of mice required, i.e., (t-1) (n-1) ≥ 15, where t is the number of treatment groups and n is the number of mice required in this study, there were two treatment groups, and according to the above formula, at least eight mice were needed per group.…”

Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review

“…It grows naturally in temperate parts of Europe, Asia, and North America (Azizi et al, 2020). Traditional herbal therapy has employed the roots of V. officinalis as a sedative, anti‐spasmodic, anxiolytic, antiemetic, and antidepressant, as well as to treat cardiac arrhythmia and sleep problems (Azizi et al, 2020; Mulyawan et al, 2020a; Rajabalizadeh et al, 2022). Glutamate, valepotriates, hydroxy pinoresinol, alkaloids (catinidin, actinidin, valerin, and valerianin), and volatile oil (valerinic acid, sesquiterpenes, and menoterpene bornyl acetate) are all components of V. officinalis .…”

“…In GABAergic neurons, glutamine is transformed into GABA after crossing the blood-brain barrier. The main ingredient in V. officinalis is valerenic acid, which slows the breakdown of GABA in the brain caused by catabolism enzymes and causes sleepiness (Mulyawan et al, 2020a).…”

Plant Species of Sub-Family Valerianaceae—A Review on Its Effect on the Central Nervous System

“…Administration of V. officinalis extracts at different dosages in BALB/c mice is related to changes in the levels of the GABRB3 protein. In particular, the extract induced an increase in the protein expression in comparison to the group of animals, which were given diazepam [ 155 ]. The anxiolytic effects have also been attributed to V. jatamansi; these effects may be due to the modulation of the levels of 5-HT, norepinephrine, dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, which by adjusting the axis hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis employing β-endorphins and corticosterone [ 146 ].…”