The roles of Valerenic and Acetoxy valerenic acids on antidepressant effect of Valeriana officinalis: BDNF levels in SH-SY5 cell lines

The roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis are used as mild sedatives [1]. To date, Valerian extract and valerenic acid associations with the GABA receptor have been investigated to explain the effects of valerian on anxiety and insomnia [2]. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has important roles in the central nervous system and has been involved with some psychiatric conditions such as depression [3]. In this study, effects of Valerian extracts and its components (Valerenic acid-VA and Acetoxy valerenic acid-AVA) on BDNF expression in SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. For this purpose, MeOH extract, VA-free extract and AVA-free extracts were prepared and BDNF expression of the extracts were determined. The normal MeOH extract increased intracellular BDNF levels by 12%, 71% (p< 0.05), and 93% (p< 0.001), where the concentrations were 10, 30 and 100 µg/mL respectively. The VA free extract at 25 µg/mL decreased the level of BDNF by 1.3%, while the VA itself at 25 µg/mL increase the level of BDNF by 20% (p< 0.0001). On the other hand AVA at 25 µg/mL only increase BDNF level by 2% while AVA-free extract appears to increase BDNF level 18% (p< 0.0001). These results clearly indicate the VA's role of Valeriana extracts effect on BDNF expression in SH-SY5Y cells.

This study was supported by grants from Hacettepe University Scientific Research Projects (Project No: THD-2016 – 91711001) and The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBİTAK) (Project No: KBAG-116Z414).

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[3] Björkholm C, Monteggia LM. Neuropharmacology 2016; 102: 72 – 79.