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Modulation of corticospinal excitability by valerian officinalis root extract: A neuropharmacological Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2020

L. Mineo ,
C. Concerto ,
Y. Sarraf ,
E. Giokas ,
M. Paula ,
D. Coira ,
C. Ellen ,
E. Aguglia  and
F. Battaglia
L. Mineo*
Affiliation:
Unit of Psychiatry, Department of clinical and experimental medicine, Catania, Italy
C. Concerto
Affiliation:
Unit of Psychiatry, Department of clinical and experimental medicine, Catania, Italy
Y. Sarraf
Affiliation:
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Department of Preclinical Sciences, New York, USA
E. Giokas
Affiliation:
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Department of Preclinical Sciences, New York, USA
M. Paula
Affiliation:
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Department of Preclinical Sciences, New York, USA
D. Coira
Affiliation:
Hackensack University Medical Center, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Hackensack, NJ, USA
C. Ellen
Affiliation:
New York College of Podiatric Medicine, Department of Preclinical Sciences, New York, USA
E. Aguglia
Affiliation:
Unit of Psychiatry, Department of clinical and experimental medicine, Catania, Italy
F. Battaglia
Affiliation:
Seton Hall University, Health and medical sciences, South Orange, USA
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Valerian officinalis roots extract is a popular medication for insomnia and anxiety treatment. Sedative effect of Valerian is mainly attributed to the modulation of gabaergic transmission, but its pharmacodynamics has not been fully elucidated.

Objects

To investigate the acute effects of Valerian Officinalis extracts intake on corticoexcitability as measured by TMS.

Aims

To obtain further data on Valerian pharmacodynamics.

Methods

Twelve healthy volunteers participated in a double-blind randomized crossover placebo-controlled study. They were required to take either 900 mg of Valerian officinalis extract (valerenic acid 0.8%) or placebo. Focal TMS of the hand area of left motor cortex was used to test Resting motor threshold (RMT), Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) amplitude and silent period duration (SP). We also tested Short-interval Intracortical Inhibition (SICI), Intracortical facilitation (ICF), Short and Long afferent Inhibition (SAI and LAI). All parameters were investigated at baseline, 1 hour and 6 hours after drug intake. After a 3-week washout period the subjects switched to the alternate arm of the study.

Results

A mixed RMANOVA revealed a significant main effect of “time” [F(1,22) = 4.03, P = 0.02] and a significant “treatment × time” interaction [F(1,22) = 6.3, P = 0.003]. Post-hoc analysis indicated that the amount of ICF was significantly reduced 1 hour after Valerian intake (P = 0.01) returning to baseline values after 6 hours. No significant changes between the Valerian and placebo groups were observed for the other parameters investigated.

Conclusions

The modulation of ICF induced by Valerian officinalis is likely due to glutamatergic antagonism and might underlie the anti-anxiety therapeutic effects.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Type
EV1036
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 33 , Issue S1: Abstracts of the 24th European Congress of Psychiatry , March 2016 , pp. S547
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2016
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