ABSTRACT
Valeriana wallichii referred to as Indian Valeriana has a family circle Valerianaceae commonly known as "Tagara". India, Nepal, and China are home to the important variety of the Valeriana genus. It is indigenous to India and can be found between 8000-10000 feet altitudes in the Himalayan region. Valeriana is a popular ethnobotanical remedy throughout Europe for relieving stress and improving sleep. Vital Central nervous system (CNS) activity is mirrored in the genuine Ayurvedic text-based content and declared as one of the handiest treatments with inside the remedy of neurosis and is powerful in pacifying the body ache (Vedanasathpana), chills (Sheetprashmana), and headaches (Shirah shoolprshmana). Additionally, it has been addressed in the Charaka Samhita as a remedy for snake poisoning. The rhizome and supporting tissues of valerian are used to treat insomnia, epilepsy, hypertension, and psychosomatic disorders. Important phytochemicals can reduce pain, manage stress, protect the brain from radiation, and fight off microbes. Hesperidin, the statutory potent flavonoid, 6-methylapigenin, and four new varieties of the iridoids Valeriotetrates B and C, 8-methylvalepotriate, and 1,5-dihydroxy-3,8-epoxyvalechlorine A are just a few of the naturally occurring active phytochemicals in the Valeriana wallichii.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To screen the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of roots of Valeriana wallichii DC (Valerianaceae)(VWE). Study Design: Animal study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Anatomy (Histology section), J N Medical College, AMU, Aligarh, India, between July 2010-July 2012. Methodology: The VWE extract was subjected to in vitro antioxidant and phytochemical screening. For in vivo hepatoprotective studies albino rats of either sex were used. For the study, three control groups were taken comprising of the normal control (normal saline), negative control (CCl4) and positive control group (Silymarin 50mg/kg). The test group was given a dose of 300mg/kg and 500mg/kg of VWE extract. Biochemical parameters (Transaminase (AST, ALT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin), histopathological examination and in vivo antioxidant tests [Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Reductase (GSH) and Malonlydialdehyde (MDA)] were performed. Results: The phytochemical study of VWE showed the presence flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. A dose dependent increase in the oxidative potential was observed in the extracts with total phenolic content 66.4GAE/g extract. VWE 500mg/kg and 300mg/kg showed a significant (p<0.001) increased in levels of AST, ALT and ALP as compared to negative control (percentage hepatoprotection=73% and 68% respectively). The GSH (p<0.001) and CAT in VWE 500mg/kg were significantly increased while MDA levels were decreased (P<0.001) as compared negative control. The findings were confirmed histopathological examination. Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Valeriana wallichii showed dose dependent partial hepatoprotection against CCl4induced toxicity.
ABSTRACT
Background: Drugs for liver ailments have been important in research, but still the number of drugs acting on various hepatic diseases is very limited. This study, for the fi rst time, evaluates the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous extract of the roots of Valeriana Wallichii in albino rats. Methods: The hepatotoxicity was induced by CCl4. Animals were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. Group I (Normal control) was given only distilled water. Group II (Negative control)was administered CCl4 for 7 days while Group III (Positive control) was given silymarin and CCl4 for 7 days. The test groups (Group IV & V) were given an aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 300 mg and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The animals were sacrifi ced on 8 days and blood was collected for biochemical analysis (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase). Liver tissue was extracted for histopathological examination and in vivo antioxidant tests Catalase [CAT], glutathione and malondialdehyde. The extract was also subjected to in vitro antioxidant tests (Total reducing power and total phenolic content). Results: The test extracts in the dose of 500 mg/kg were shown a signifi cant decrease in the levels of AST and ALT (p>0.05) and CAT activity. 300 mg/kg dose of extract showed minimal hepatoprotection. The fi ndings were confi rmatory to histopathology. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of roots of V. Wallichii in a dose of 500 mg/kg offers partial protection against hepatotoxicity produced by CCl4 in albino rats.
ABSTRACT
Valeriana wallichii (Family Valerianaceae), popularly named as Indian valerian, exists as three chemotypes. Aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of V. wallichii chemotype (patchouli alcohol) extract (DCME) and essential oil (VPAEO) on experimental models of nociception and to elucidate its possible mechanism of action. Analgesic effect was evaluated using acetic acid induced writhing and tail flick model. DCME and VPAEO (40 and 80 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly inhibited the number of writhings as compared to vehicle treated group. None of the doses of DCME and VPAEO exhibited any effect in tail flick model suggesting only peripheral analgesic activity. When studied for mechanism of action in acetic acid induced writhing, subeffective dose of essential oil significantly potentiated the effect of aspirin while no potentiation was seen in case of extract. These data suggest that essential oil VPAEO exerted peripheral analgesic via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.