Neurobehavioral evaluation and phytochemical characterization of a series of argentine valerian species

Abstract

Folkloric or galenic preparations of valerian roots and rhizomes have been used as sedatives/anxiolytics and sleep inducers since ancient times. “Valerianas” are plants that naturally grow in our region. Although some of them are used in folk medicine, they lack scientific information. We performed a comparative study of the phytochemical composition and the potential in vivo effects of ethanolic extracts of argentine valerian species: Valeriana carnosa Sm ., V. clarionifolia Phil. and V. macrorhiza Poepp. ex DC., from “Patagonia Argentina”; V. ferax (Griseb.) Höck and V. effusa Griseb., from the central part of our country, and V. officinalis (as the reference plant). All these plants were rich in phenolic compounds, evidenced the presence of ligands for the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA A receptor and were able to induce sedation as assessed by loss-of-righting reflex assays (500 mg/kg, i.p.). Mice treated with V. macrorhiza , V. carnosa and V. ferax extracts showed reduced exploratory behaviors while V. clarionifolia produced anxiolytic-like activities (500 mg/kg, i.p.) in the Hole board test. Oral administrations (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, p.o.) evidenced sedative effects for V. ferax and anxiolytic-like properties for V. macrorhiza , V. carnosa and V. clarionifolia extracts. Our native valerian species are active on the CNS, validating its folkloric use as anxiolytic/sedative and sleep enhancers.

Biological Evaluation of Valeriana Extracts from Argentina with Potent Cholinesterase Inhibition for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Their Comorbidities—The Case of Valeriana carnosa Sm. (Caprifoliaceae) Studied in Mice

“…The collection of plant material was in accordance with national Argentine guidelines. All plants were authenticated by Dr. Hernán Bach and voucher specimens were deposited in the herbarium of the Institute of Biological Resources -INTA and in the “Juan Anibal Domínguez” herbarium, Museum of Pharmacobotany, as previously reported [ 10 ] ( Table S1 ). Fresh roots and rhizomes were washed, dried at room temperature, and protected from light.…”

“…The results obtained for aqueous 1 extracts of Valeriana effusa , V. ferax , V. macrorhiza , V. clarionifolia , V. carnosa and V. officinalis on the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2߰-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), iron chelation, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reactive substances (TBARS) assays are shown in Table 1 . In addition, the total content of polyphenols (obtained from [ 10 ]) is also reported for comparison and discussion. All species showed good antioxidant capacity against DPPH (EC 50 of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/mL for V. carnosa to 0.57 ± 0.02 mg/mL for V. ferax ) and ABTS radicals (EC 50 of 0.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL for V. carnosa to 0.51 ± 0.06 mg/mL for V. officinalis ).…”

“…Analyzing ancient writings and modern pharmacological research on the Valeriana genus, we have reported pharmacological activity including anxiolytic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, sedative, antitumor and anti-HIV properties, as well as its use in the treatment of neurological diseases [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Previous phytochemical studies on this species led to the isolation of flavonoids [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], essential oils [ 12 ], sesquiterpenoids [ 13 ], valepotriates and acylated iridoids [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…showed sedative activity for extracts of V. ferax and anxiolytic properties for extracts of V. macrorhiza , V. carnosa and V. clarionifolia . These native species were thus active in the CNS, and their use as anxiolytics/sedatives and sleep enhancers in folk medicine was validated [ 10 ].…”

The 4‐Hole‐Board Test for Assessment of Long‐Term Spatial Memory in Mice

“…The term “hole board” was first used by the authors in 1964 to describe their test (Boissier, Simon, & Lwoff, 1964). Although the original hole‐board was a square arena with 16 holes on its floor, soon after a simpler apparatus featuring 4 holes has been developed by British neuropharmacologists Sandra File and Ann Wardill (File & Wardill, 1975), which has continued to be used over the following decades up to the present years (Bialuk & Winnicka, 2018; Carney et al., 2002; Casarrubea, Sorbera, Santangelo, & Crescimanno, 2010; Clarke & File, 1983; Di Filippo et al., 2016; Durcan & Lister, 1989; File, 1976, 1977; Gaffori, Le Moal, & Stinus, 1980; Gagliano, Fuentes, Nadal, & Armario, 2008; Galey & Jaffard, 1992; Hasegawa et al., 1996; Herde & Eccard, 2013; Kamei, Matsunawa, Miyata, Tanaka, & Saitoh, 2004; Kliethermes & Crabbe, 2006; Lister, 1987; Marcucci et al., 2020; Rodgers & File, 1979; Rubin et al., 2000; Shao et al., 2016; Wang et al., 2020). In addition, some hole‐boards with more than 16 holes have been realized, although they were less successful.…”