The foreign research team published the title "Effect of Valerian Extract on GABRB3 Gene MRNA Expression and Sedation in BALB/C Mice" in Current Bioactive Compounds on November 10, 2020. The article showed that the GABRB3 gene after the action of Valerian extract mRNA expression is significantly increased, and valerian extract and diazepam have similar clinical sedative effects.
Valerian is a perennial herb produced in Europe and Asia. It is widely distributed in almost all countries where the soil is acidic. Valerian has been used in traditional medicine to treat sleep disorders, anxiety, fatigue, epilepsy, epilepsy and depression for 2000 years. The main ingredient of medicinal valerian is valeric acid containing hydroxyl and acetone derivatives.
Valeric acid has anti-anxiety, sedative and sleep-inducing effects, which have been confirmed in animal studies and clinical trials. Valeric acid inhibits the decomposition of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) caused by catabolic enzymes in the brain, thereby producing a sedative effect. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is the most important brain inhibitory neurotransmitter, which plays a key role in the regulation and function of the central nervous system. The sedative effect of valerian extract is promoted by the GABAA receptor β3 subunit. The GABRB3 gene belongs to the ligand-gated ion channel family and encodes the β3 subunit of the GABAA receptor. GABRB3 is also a receptor for diazepam and other anesthetics (ie, phenobarbital).
Valerian affects the presynaptic components of GABAergic neurons, and these components affect the release of synaptic GABA. Valerian also inhibits the reuptake and catabolism of γ-aminobutyric acid by inhibiting γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase. On this basis, this study aimed to explore the effect of Valerian extract on the expression of GABRB3 gene mRNA and sedation in BALB/c mice.
In this experiment, an animal model was used and a control group was set up to study the effect of Valerian extract on the expression of GABRB3 gene mRNA and sedation in BALB/c mice.
Select 20 BALB/c mice and randomly divide them into 4 groups; each group has 5 mice. Group A (negative control) was given 5 ml of distilled water; group B (positive control) was given 0.025 mg/10 g of diazepam. Group C (treatment group 1) was given valerian extract 2.5 mg/10 g body weight, and group D (treatment group 2) was given valerian extract 5 mg/10 g body weight. These drugs were administered by gavage for 7 days. On the 7th day, a rotating wheel test was carried out. On the first day and the seventh day before administration, a blood sample of 1ml was taken after the spinning test, and analyzed by RT-PCR.
The mRNA expression of GABRB3 gene in groups B, C, and D all increased significantly (p <0.0001), and there were significant differences between groups C and D. The examination of motor coordination function (Rotarod test) showed significant differences between group A and group B, group A and group C, group A and group D (p <0.05). There was no significant difference between group B and group C and D.
The expression of GABRB3 gene mRNA was significantly increased after the action of Valerian extract. According to the rotating wheel test, valerian extract and diazepam have similar clinical sedative effects. Higher doses of valerian extract will not produce higher levels of GABRB3 gene mRNA expression, nor will it produce a sedative effect.
