Article · Volume 11, Issue 42 · pp. 381–388
Effects of Valerianae Radix et Rhizoma extract on psychological stress in mice
Jeong Suk Kim1, Jeong Deok Ahn2, Su-In Cho3
- 1Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College of London, London, UK.
- 2Department of Sport Science, College of Sport Science, Pusan National University.
- 3Department of Korean Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, Gyeongnam, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Valerianae Radix et Rhizoma water extract (VRe) originated from Valeriana fauriei Briquet on reducing psychological stress (PS) on mice.Objective: Mice were put under PS with communication box method: Restraining mice and forcing to see other mice underfoot shock stress.Materials and Methods: Measurements on plasma corticosterone, noradrenaline and lipid peroxidation, and elevated plus-maze (EPM) tests were carried out to determine the effect of VRe administration on physiological and behavioral responses of mice.Results: VRe showed anxiolytic effects in plasma corticosterone, noradrenaline, and EPM transfer latency levels, but it did not show any significant effects on the other indicators.Conclusion: V. fauriei, which has been used as a natural anxiolytic drug, exerts positive effects in the communication box induced PS in mice.
Keywords: Communication box; psychological stress; Valeriana fauriei briquet; valerianae radix et rhizoma A B S T R A C T
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