In vitro activity of commercial valerian root extracts against human cytochrome

Valerian is a widely used plant-based medicine (1-3). Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) native to Europe and Asia is indicated mostly as a mild sedative and as a sleep aid (4). Valerian improves subjective experiences of sleep when taken nightly over o­ne- to two-week periods but long-term safety studies are lacking (5). Valerian is a member of the Valerianaceae family that includes up to 250 species (6). Common species include, but are not limited to, Valeriana wallichii, Valeriana edulis and Valeriana officinalis. The latter is composed of five subspecies and is the species most likely to be commonly used in North America. The parts of the plant used for therapeutic purposes are the roots and the rhizomes. The constituents of Valerian include valepotriates (iridoids), the components of the volatile oil, including monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes (valerenic acids), as well as a number of other constituents (7). Valerian products are usually standardized to valerenic acid or sometimes to valeric acid. The identity of the active component(s) in valerian is still uncertain.

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