Effect of valerian hydroalcoholic extract on serotonin, melatonin and blood cells of rats

The herb valerian is from family of valeriana officinalis which hydro alcoholic extracts of this plant has enhancing effect on hormones such as melatonin and neurotransmitters such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid.

48 rats selected as sample randomly and base on their body weight divided in to six groups of eight rats including (1) Sham, (2)control, (3) doses of 100, (4) doses of 200, (5) doses of 400 and (6) diazepam. Group 1 drug by injection of 0. 5 ml saline fluid for each rat, Group 2 Failing to get medication or serum, Group 3 injected with a dose of 100 mg valerian extract per kg, group 4 injection of extract at a dose of 200 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, group 5 injecting extract at a dose of 400 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, 6 diazepam injection at a dose of 1.2 mg per kilogram of body weight. Injection for 22 days as an in between was done. (p=0/05). For analysis of data used one way ANOVA and tukey post hoc test.

The results showed that levels of melatonin, valerian extract in groups at doses of 100, 200, 400 and diazepam significantly higher than the control group (0.001) as well as diazepam has similar effects with the use of valerian extract with doses of 100, 200 and 400. Serotonin levels in groups valerian extract at doses of 100, 200, 400 and diazepam significantly higher than the control group (0.001) as well as diazepam has the same effect with doses of valerian extract 100 ,200 and 400.

The results of this study concluded valerian extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 have the same effects as well as increased levels of serotonin and melatonin similar to diazepam in rats are.