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 ( Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran )
M.H Khayat Nouri ² ( Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran )
جواد Mahmoudi 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.  

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