Anxiolytic effects of Valepotriates extracted from Valeriana officinalis L. in rats

Background: Anxiety is a common disorder attacking many people in the society and often accompanied by physiological sensations such as tachycardia, chest pain, shortness of breath, insensitivity, and so on. Objective: The purpose of present study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of valepotriates (dichloromethane extracts of valerian) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in rats. Materials and Methods: This was an experimental study carried out at Biology Department of Azad Islamic University in Karaj (Iran) in 2006. Valepotriates was dissolved in DMSO and orally administered at different doses to adult male Wistar rats, 0.5, 1.5 and 3 hours before behavioral evaluation in an EPM. Control rats were treated with an equal volume of DMSO. Data were evaluated using SPSS and variance analysis. Findings: Single treatment with valepotriates at two concentrations of 0.1, and 0.2 g/kg caused a statically significant increased time-spent and arm entries into open arms of EPM compared to control group (p<0.05). However, animal’s locomotor activity found to be unchanged. Conclusion: Based on our data, it seems that valepotriates to have a potential as an effective anxiolytic agent.