Analytical Aspects of Phytotherapeutic Valerian Preparations

Abstract

A high performance liquid chromatographic method combined with diode array detection is described by which the valerian constituents valtrate, isovaltrate, acevaltrate, didrovaltrate, isovaleroxyhydroxydidrovaltrate, valerenic acid, hydroxyvalerenic acid and acetoxyvalerenic acid, as well as the valepotriate decomposition products baldrinal and homobaldrinal, can be separated and identified simultaneously. Using this procedure, roots of Valeriana officinalis, which are used for the production of phytomedicines, were analysed. The influence of different ethanol:water mixtures, used as extraction liquid, on the composition of extracts of V. officinalis is reported. The analytical procedure was also applied to a number of valerian‐containing phytomedicines available on the Dutch market. In order to study the stability of the valepotriates and the formation of their decomposition product(s), samples of freshly prepared valerian tinctures were analysed after being stored at 4, 20, and 36°C for up to one month.

Functional Identification of Valerena-1,10-diene Synthase, a Terpene Synthase Catalyzing a Unique Chemical Cascade in the Biosynthesis of Biologically Active Sesquiterpenes in Valeriana officinalis

“…In this mechanism C1 forms a bond with C11 of the originating FPP molecule in the formation of a caryophyllenyl carbocation followed by opening of the cyclobutyl ring to yield the desired isobutenyl side chain. Important to note, the two methylene carbons of the isobutenyl side are predicted to arise from C1 and C11 of the originating FPP and hence should become labeled when [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] C]acetate is incorporated into FPP by the mevalonate biosynthetic pathway operating in yeast (32). This labeling pattern is indeed observed and consistent with the proposed caryophyllene reaction mechanism for valerena-1,10-diene synthase.…”

“…For example, it was used as a treatment to relieve the stress of air raids in England during WWII (6). The greatest biological efficacy of valerian has been correlated with freshly harvested and carefully dried root preparations and with the iridoid alkaloid and sesquiterpene content of these preparations (7). The valepotriates are epoxyiridoid esters with the dominant species being valtrate (8).…”

Valerian extract and valerenic acid are partial agonists of the 5-HT5a receptor in vitro

“…Besides valerenic acid, the separation resulted in two compound mixtures (0.9 mg and 1.4 mg) and one isomeric mixture (1.4 mg). The content of valerenic acid was determined by HPLC using the method with an external standard curve for valerenic acid [7]. RP-Column a 1:1 combination of the dichloroform (DCM) and PE extract, a 1:2 mixture of the methanol (MeOH) and MeOH 50% and a 100% MeOH.…”

Impact of different culture media on hairy roots growth of Valeriana officinalis L.

“…The valerenic acids have been reported for the sedative activity of V. officinalis and they are often used as an indicator of medicinal quality (Hendriks et al, 1981). The main representative of these compounds are valerenic acid (VA), acetoxyvalerenic acid and hydroxyvalerenic acid (Bos et al, 1996).…”