Comparative study of Valeriana Officinalis root extract¸diazepam and ketamin on CNS depressive effects in cats

Subject Areas : Veterinary Clinical Pathology

رامین Kaffashi Elahi ¹ , M.H Khayat Nouri ² , جواد Mahmoudi ³

1 - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
2 - Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
3 - Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran

Received: 2011-12-31 Accepted : 2012-04-05 Published : 2012-02-20

Keywords: Valeriana officinalis, Diazepam, Ketamine, CNS depression,

Abstract :

Valeriana officinalis is a medicinal plant used in alternative medicine for its sedative and anxiolytic properties. It acts trough GABA receptors increases GABA in synaptic space and stimulates GABA receptors. Ketamine and diazepam also acts trough GABA mechanism but with a different pathway. The purpose of our study was to investigate the sedative effects on cats of valerian extract that extremely beloved by cats in combination with ketamine, and evaluate the possibility of its usage in cats and change the routine methods of anti-anxiety and restraining method. 24 healthy short haired mature male cats randomly selected, fed with standard ration and water ad libitum , were divided into three groups G1, G2, G3, received ketamine(11mg/kg), ketamine-diazepam(1mg/kg), and ketamine-valerian (1250 µg/kg PO) respectively. Rate of CNS depression were evaluated by; onset time of effects, peak score, and duration of peak score, total time of effects and highest recorded score. Scores obtained by ataxia, time at which falling recumbent and pinch test over anus, tail and Achilles tendon. This experiment was conducted as blind. Statistical analysis made by variance analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey test, at a significance level of 5% (p<0.05).Results showed significant effect of valerian on shortening the onset time of effects in compare with G1, and fastest reach to peak score in compare with G1 and G3, peak score duration was much longer than G1 and shorter than G3, onset time of recumbency in G3 was shortest but close to G2. It seems that valerian root extract may be used in combination with ketamine to induce restraining and anti-anxiety effects with shorter dullness and sleepy mood in compare with routine administration of ketamine-diazepam; moreover it is being tolerated well and makes the animal more reliable and friendly with other cats and owners. So this extract may be used instead of diazepam in routine cat restraining protocols.  

References:

1. خضری، ش. 1330. فرهنگ گیاهان دارویی.انتشارات سنندج، گردآوری و تحقیق، صفحه:572.


2. زمان، س. 1370. گیاهان داروی. ترجمه. انتشارات تهران صفحات: 46-51.


3. حاجی آخوندی، ع. 1338. راهنمای کاربردی گیاهان دارویی، مرکز انتشارات علمی،  صفحه: 286.


4. رضایی، ع. حاجی زاده، ا. 1377. بیهوشی دامپزشکی، انتشارات نوربخش تهران، صفحه: 45.


5. فقیهی، م، 1383. مبانی فارماکولوژی، انتشارات جنگل، جلد اوّل، صفحات: 63-32.


6. Heidari MR, Razban F. 2004. Effects of Valeriana Officinalis extract on the seizure induced by Picrotoxin in mice. Journal of KermanUniversity of Medical Sciences. Vol. 11, No. 2.


7. Baldever, G. and Borbely, AA. 1985. Effect of valerian on human sleep. 87(4):  406-9.


8. British Herbal pharmacopoeia, 1983. B.H.M.A. ISBN NO: 903032-07-4.


9. Dunaev, VV., Trzhetsinskii, SD., Tishkin, Biological.2007. Activity of the sum of the valepotriales isolated from valerian alliariifolia. ISBN NO: 506:33-7.


10. Hendricks, H.etal:pharmacological screening of valernal and some other components of ussentialoil of valerian officinalis. ISBN NO: 1987, 42:62-8.


11. Hendricks, H.etal:central. 2004. Nervous depressant activity of valerenic acid in the mouse. ISBN NO: 51:28-31.


12. Graham, Johnston, 2003. Valerian-the relaxing and sleep herb. ISBN NO: 0-9618470-9-3.


13. Houghton, PJ. 2005. The biological activity of valerian and velated plants. ISBN NO: 22(2):121.


14. Komori, Lindahl,O,Lindwall,L, 1989. Double blind study of avalerian preparation: Behar (1989 Apr) 32(4):1065-6.


15. Leuschner, J. and Muller J. 2006. Rudmann,M:Characterisation of the central nervous depressant activity of a commercially available valerian root extract. (1993 jun) 43(6):638-41.


16. Leathwood, PD. 2007. Agueous extract of valerian reduces latency to full sleep in man.1985:51:144-8.


17. Mardera, S. and Voigt, J. 2003. Treatment of nervous sleep disorders and unrest with asedative of purely vegetable origin.Therapieworche 1986, 36:663-7.


18. Oshima, Y., Matsuoka, 1995. Antidepressant principles of valeriana fauriei roots. (Tokyo)(1995 Jan) 43(1):169-70.


19. Phelps Brown, O. 2006. The complete Herbalist. ISBN NO: 0-87877-1840.


20. Santos, MS., Ferrieira, F. and Cunha, AP. 2009. Synaptosomal GABA release as influenced by valerian root extract – inrolvement of the GABA carrier (1994 Mar-Apr) 327(2):220-37.


21. Schulz, H, Stolz, 1994. The effect of valerian extract on sleep polygraphy in poor sleepers (1994 jul) 27(4):147-51.


22. Wagner, H.etal, 1980. Comparative studies on the sedative action of valerian extracts, Valepotriates and their degradation products.1980:42:358-65.


23. Yang, GY., Wang W. 2004. Clinical studies on the treatment of coronary heart disease with valerian officinalis var latifolia (china) 14(9):540-2.