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Terpenoid content of Valeriana wallichii extracts and antidepressant‐like response profiles
Author(s) -
Subhan Fazal,
Karim Nasiara,
Gilani Anwarul Hassan,
Sewell Robert D. E.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.2980
Subject(s) - terpenoid , rhizome , phytochemical , traditional medicine , chemistry , tail suspension test , behavioural despair test , fluoxetine , pharmacology , antidepressant , pharmacognosy , biological activity , in vitro , biology , medicine , stereochemistry , biochemistry , serotonin , receptor , neuroscience , hippocampus
Abstract Three extracts of V aleriana wallichii DC (Valerianaceae) rhizome and fluoxetine were studied for antidepressant‐like activity in two behavioral models, namely the forced swim test (FST) and the tail suspension test (TST). Fluoxetine as well as methanolic and aqueous extracts of V. wallichii induced monophasic dose‐related decrements in immobility times in both tests. However, the aqueous‐ethanolic fraction induced a biphasic dose‐response profile since it produced a graded effect up to 200 mg/kg but the highest dose (250 mg/kg) was inactive in the FST. This extract also exhibited significantly reduced activity at 200 mg/kg compared to lower doses in the TST. The highest doses of aqueous‐ethanolic extract also reduced locomotor activity which will have led to a negative functional interaction with antidepressant‐like effects. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed that the aqueous‐ethanolic extract of V. wallichii was the only separated rhizome fraction containing terpenoids. Furthermore, since the methanolic and aqueous extracts were active in the tests, it is suggested that the antidepressant‐like action of this herbal plant is not contingent upon its terpenoid constituents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.