A COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOGNOSTIC REPORT ON VALERIAN

A COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOGNOSTIC REPORT ON VALERIAN

Muktika Sharma , U. K. Jain *, Ajay Patel  and Nilesh Gupta

Department of Pharmacy, Bhopal Institute of Technology and Science, Suveesha Vidyanagar, Bhojpur Road, Bangrasia, Bhopal (MP) India

ABSTRACT

Herbalism is a traditional medicine practice based on the utilization of plants and plant extracts. In herbalism ‘Valerian’ is a boon medicine for several ailments. Valerian (Valerian officinalis) is a naturally occurring Ayurvedic medicine widely grown in the temperate zones of Europe, North America and Asia and is a safe herbal supplement indicated in various ailments, chief being for the symptoms associated with difficulty in sleeping. It improves subjective experiences of sleep when taken nightly over one- to two-week periods. Although the adverse effect profile and tolerability of this herb are excellent, long-term safety studies are lacking. Due to the this limitations and inconsistent results in currently published clinical trials, further research is needed to clarify the efficacy and side effect profile of valerian, especially in regard to long-term therapy. In present investigation, the medicinally important herbal drug Valerian is reviewed for various taxonomical aspects including botanical authenticity, historical backgrounds, description, existing common names, medicinally important species, going through cultivation, commerce, regulation to phytochemical description, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, adverse drug reactions, toxicology, contraindications and safety aspects of Valerian. This paper also intends to motivate and accelerate pharmaceutical research on Valerian for development of convenient, effective and Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) medication.

INTRODUCTION: Herbalism is a traditional medicine-practice based on the utilization of plants and plant extracts. Conventionally, it is also referred as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. In written evidence, the study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who described well-established medicinal uses for various plants. Ancient Egyptian medicine of 1000 B. C. are known to have used garlic, opium, castor oil, coriander, mint, indigo, and other herbs for medicine and the Old Testament also mentions herb use and cultivation, including mandrake, vetch, caraway, wheat, barley, and rye. Indian Ayurveda medicine has used herbs such as turmeric possibly as early as 1900 B. C. The Sushruta Samhita attributed to Sushruta in the 6th century B. C. also describes 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources, and 57 preparations based on animal sources. In this line of herbalism ‘Valerian’ is a boon medicine towards treating several ailments and diseases. This manuscript provides basic information about a traditional and useful herb known as “Valerian” for its flavour, scent or potential therapeutic properties.

The name valerian was probably derived from the Latin word “valere” meaning to be healthy or strong. Other accounts ascribe its name to the Roman emperor Publius Licinius Valerianus, who reigned in the 3rd century. Two other ancient names are “nard” and “phu”. “Nard” is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning “strong smell” and “phu” or “fu” refers to the usual exclamation of disgust that attends the experience of smelling the dried root ^1-3. More than 200 plant species belong to the genus Valeriana, but the one most frequently used as an herb is Valeriana officinalis. The root is used for medicinal purpose.  Galen recommended valerian for insomnia in the second century AD. From the sixteenth century onward, this herb became popular as a sedative in Europe (and later in United States). Scientific studies on valerian in humans began in the 1970s, leading to its approval as a sleep aid by Germany's Commission E in 1985. However, the scientific evidence showing that valerian really works remains incomplete. As with most herbs, we are not exactly sure which ingredients in valerian are most important. Early research focused on a group of chemicals known as alepotriates, but they are no longer considered appropriate. A constituent called valerenic acid has also undergone study, but its role is far from clear. Another substance in valerian, called linarin, has also attracted research interest ^4-8.

Valerian got its name from the Latin word for "well-being" Valerian was best known to ancient classical authors as a diuretic and treatment for menstrual difficulties. The Greek physician Galen used it for epilepsy in children and adults. An Italian nobleman, Fabio Colonna, born in 1567, suffered from epilepsy and found Galen's reference. He took valerian himself and claimed it completely restored his health. Colonna's experience stimulated interest in the plant as a sedative; use of valerian to relieve spasms and induce sleep evolved in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Valerian was an official remedy in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 to 1936 ^{1-2, 9}. Valerian root's popularity as a sedative herb seems to be increasing along with the stresses of modern life. For at least 500 years, Valerian root has been among the most popular remedies in the United States and Europe. In Europe, valerian root is now approved by Germany's Commission for restlessness and sleeping disorders ^10-11.

Why Valerian is still used today? Valerian is commonly recommended for the mild treatment for occasional insomnia. However, evidence from the best positive study on valerian suggests that it is only useful when taken over an extended period of time for chronic sleep disorders. Like other treatments used for insomnia, valerian has also been proposed as a treatment for anxiety, but there is no reliable evidence as yet that it is effective. Finally, valerian is sometimes suggested as a treatment for a nervous stomach; however, as of yet, there is no supporting scientific evidence for this use ^12-15. Valerian has been used as a sleep aid for over 1,000 years. Its ability to help relax the central nervous system, promote feelings of calm, decrease levels of anxiety and stress, and enhance sleep are known to millions the world over. Unlike some prescription sleep aids, valerian is not known to cause morning grogginess and is non-addictive.

Use of valerian as a sedative and anti-anxiety treatment has been reported for more than 2,000 years. For example, in the 2nd Century AD, Galen recommended valerian as a treatment for insomnia. Related species have been used in traditional Chinese and Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Preparations for use on the skin have been used to treat sores and acne, and valerian by mouth has been used for other conditions such as digestive problems, flatulence (gas), congestive heart failure, urinary tract disorders, and angina (chest pain) ^16-17.    As with most herbal products available in the world, valerian root extracts are not regulated for quality or consistency. Self-governing testing laboratories (such as www.consumerlab.com) generally use valeric acid content as a marker for pharmacologic activity and represent one source for reliable information to support product choice ¹⁸. By the 18th century, valerian was widely used as a sedative and to treat nervous disorders associated with a “restless” digestive tract as well as the “vapors” in women. Other common uses included the treatment of headaches, anxiety, palpitations, high blood pressure, irritable or spastic bowel, menstrual cramps, epilepsy and childhood behavior problems and learning disabilities.

During World War I, valerian was used to prevent and treat shell shock in frontline troops, and it was used during World War II to help calm civilians subjected to air raids. Valerian was listed as a sleep aid and anxiolytic on the US national formulary until the 1940’s. It fell into disuse as more potent sedative-hypnotic pharmacologic agents became available ^19-21. Valerian is often used in combination with other sedative herbs such as chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower, St. John’s wort, hawthorn berries and hops. Some consumers combine it with melatonin. In 1998, valerian was the 10th most popular herbal remedy sold in the United States ²².

Scientific and frequently used Names: Valerian is also commonly described as Capon’s tail, cat’s love, common valerian, English valerian, fragrant valerian, garden heliotrope, German valerian, great wild valerian, heliotrope, Indian valerian, setewale, setwall, valerian, valeriana, valeriana radix, vandal root, Vermont valerian, wild valerian, Baldrianwurzel (Germam), Balderbrackenwurzel (German), Katzenwurzel (German), racine de valeriane (France) ²³. It is also known by names viz: Amantilla, All-Heal, Baldrian, Baldrianwurzel, Belgium Valerian, Common Valerian, Fragrant Valerian, Garden Heliotrope, Garden Valerian, Indian Valerian, Mexican Valerian, Pacific Valerian, Valeriana Officinalis, Valeriana rhizome, Valerianae radix, Valeriane, American Valerian, cat’s love, Cat’s Valerian, St. George’s herb, Setwall, Ka-no-ko-so, Katzenwurzel, kesso root, Kissokon, Vandal Root, valerian, all-heal, garden heliotrope, Setwall, phu, baldrianwurzel, Valerian edulis; Valeriana Jatamansil, synonym Valeriana Wallichii; Valeriana Officinalis; Valerian sitchensis ^18-23.

Major Therapeutic Species of Valerian: The genus contains over 250 species, with many more subspecies. Valeriana officinalis is the species used in Europe. V. edulis is used in Mexico and V. wallichii is used in India. V. edulis contains substantially higher concentrations of valepotriates (up to 8%), which have mutagenic properties in vitro ²⁴. V. fauriei is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese medicine. V. capensis is used in African traditional medicine ⁹. Valeriana Jatamansil is yet another therapeutic species of Valerian ^{13-17, 25}.

Description of Valerian Plant: The part of the plant used medicinally is the root or rhizome. The rhizome is light grayish brown, about the size of a finger joint, bearing many rootlets. The fresh root has no odor, while the dried root smells distinctly unpleasant, akin to old gym socks, due to isovaleric acid. The plant itself is 50 to 150 cm tall with pinnate leaves and white or pink hermaphroditic flowers with three stamens; the stem is upright and without branches. It is sometimes used as a border in perennial gardens ^26-27.

Most Suited Habitat for Valerian: Valerian is native to Europe and Asia and has naturalized in eastern North America. This tall perennial prefers moist woodlands; it has been extensively cultivated in northern Europe. Most of the European supply is grown in Holland. It is cultivated in low lying, damp sandy humus with lime fertilizer. It is harvested in the late fall and dried. Valerian is primarily found in Europe and Northern Asian and naturally prefers damp fields, but also grow in more dry places. Valerian is an erect perennial herb. Valerian roots consist of may white coloured erect root stocks or rhizomes.

In spring, every plant forms one hollow stem. The leaves are arranged in pairs and consist of six to ten leaflets. During midsummer the valerian plant starts to bloom. The flowers are white to pink with a very unique but rather pleasant smell. The roots and other parts have a more strange and foetid smell. Cats do like this smell very much and enjoy to rub there noise against the valerian plant or dried roots.

Cultivation of Valerian: Valerian plants are available from some garden centres in the prairies and they can be transplanted into well fertilized moisture-retentive soil. Alternatively, the plants can be grown from seed or propagated by splitting established plants in spring or fall. When growing plants from seed, the beginner should be aware that germination is unpredictable and often slow. The seeds require light for germination, and must not be covered. After transplanting the seedlings, the plants require two or three years before harvesting the roots if they are to be used medicinally. Older plants will have a greater mass of root for harvest. However, most people cultivating valerian in gardens tend to grow it for horticultural interest rather than medicinal use.

History of Valerian: Valerian has been used as a medicinal herb since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia. In medieval Sweden, it was sometimes placed in the wedding clothes of the groom to ward off the "envy" of the elves. Sometimes people put it in a tea ²⁸. The Greek physician, Dioscorides, apparently recommended valerian root to treat myriad disorders including heart palpitations, digestive problems, epilepsy and urinary tract infections. Valerian was recommended by Galen during the second century as a treatment for insomnia. Valerian plants are as attractive as catnip to cats, and it is rumored that the Pied Piper’s secret to clearing the streets of Hamlin was a store of valerian under his cloak ²⁹.

By the 18th century, valerian was widely used as a sedative and to treat nervous disorders associated with a “restless” digestive tract as well as the “vapors” in women. During World War I, valerian was used to prevent and treat shell shock in frontline troops, and it was used during World War II to help calm civilians subjected to air raids. Valerian was listed as a sleep aid and anxiolytic on the US national formulary until the 1940’s. It fell into disuse as more potent sedative-hypnotic pharmacologic agents became available. Related species have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurvedic Medicine and African herbal healing practices. V. fauriei is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese medicine as a sedative, spasmolytic and antidepressant. V. capensis is used in African traditional medicine as a treatment for epilepsy, hysteria and nervous disorders ³⁰. In the 1980’s valerian again assumed a place of importance as a widely used nonprescription hypnotic and daytime sedative, particularly in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Britain, Russia and Germany. Over 50 tons of valerians are sold each year in France alone. Adolescents and young adults appear to be particularly attracted to valerian and other herbs that affect the central nervous system. The German Commission E has given Valerian root a positive evaluation for use in states of restlessness. The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy cites its indications as “tenseness, restlessness and irritability with difficulty in falling asleep”.

The Herbal PDR lists its primary indications as “nervousness and insomnia”, as well as lack of concentration, stress headache, menstrual states of agitation, neuralgia, nervous stomach, and states of angst. It has also been included in herbal remedies for cardiovascular disorders to help reduce hypertension and reduce the effects of stress and tension on the heart. Some health resort put valerian in whirlpool baths to help reduce pain and enhance sleep for patients with fibromyalgia. Valerian is often used in combination with other sedative herbs such as chamomile, lemon balm, passion flower, St. John’s wort, hawthorn berries and hops. Some consumers combine it with melatonin. In 1998, valerian was the 10th most popular herbal remedy sold in the United States ²². For thousands of years, the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, and Indians have used valerian as a mild sedative. The origin of the word "pew" is said to come from the foul odor of the valerian root, which a first century AD Roman physician, Dioscorides, called phu. In the mid-1800s in the United States, the Shakers began growing valerian and other herbs to market to doctors and pharmacists in America and Europe. Valerian is sometimes used to flavor foods and drinks such as root beer ^31-32.

Present Regulatory Status of Valerian: In the United States, United Kingdom and other major countries of the world, valerian is sold as a dietary supplement, and dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. Therefore, premarket evaluation and approval by the Food and Drug Administration are not required unless claims are made for specific disease prevention or treatment. Because dietary supplements are not always tested for manufacturing consistency, the composition may vary considerably between manufacturing lots.

Designation of Valerian: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae) is a hardy perennial flowering plant, with heads of sweetly scented pink or white flowers. The flowers are in bloom in the northern hemisphere from June to September. Valerian was used as a perfume in the sixteenth century. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, Valerian has been introduced into North America. It is consumed as food by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Grey Pug. Other names used for this plant include garden valerian (to distinguish it from other Valeriana species), garden heliotrope (although not related to Heliotropium) and all-heal. The garden flower red valerian is also sometimes referred to as "valerian" but is a different species, from the same family but not particularly closely related. Valerian, in pharmacology and phytotherapic medicine, is the name of a herb or dietary supplement prepared from roots of the plant, which, after maceration, trituration, dehydration processes, are conveniently packaged, usually into capsules, that may be used for certain effects including sedation and anxiolytic effect. The amino acid Valine is named after this plant. Valerian is an herbal remedy derived from the dried roots of the valerian plant, Valeriana officinalis, which as stated earlier belongs to the Valerianaceae family. It is often cultivated for its pinkish white or lavender flowers apart for its medicinal uses.

According to one marketing research firm, valerian is the fastest-growing herbal remedy in the United States; its sales more than doubled between 2000 and 2001.  The part of the plant used medicinally is the root or rhizome. The rhizome is light grayish brown, about the size of a finger joint, bearing many rootlets. The fresh root has no odor, while the dried root smells distinctly unpleasant, akin to old gym socks, due to isovaleric acid. The plant itself is 50 to 150 cm tall with pinnate leaves and white or pink hermaphroditic flowers with three stamens; the stem is upright and without branches. It is sometimes used as a border in perennial gardens ³³. The root is chiefly used for me