Skeletal muscle relaxant effect of a standardized extract of Valeriana officinalis L- after acute administration in mice

Authors
D Caudal, I Guinobert, A Lafoux, V Bardot, C Cotte, I Ripoche, P Chalard, C Huchet

Lab
Laboratoire de ThŽrapie GŽnique, INSERM UMR U1089 - IRS 2 Nantes Biotech Ð UniversitŽ de Nantes, Nantes, France

Journal
Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine

Abstract
Valeriana officinalis L. root extracts are traditionally taken for their sedative and anxiolytic properties and are also used for muscle relaxation. Relaxant effects were clearly observed on smooth muscle whereas data on effects on skeletal muscle are scarce and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess whether a standardized extract (SE) of V.Êofficinalis had myorelaxant effects by decreasing skeletal muscle strength and/or neuromuscular tone in mice. Mice received an acute dose of V.Êofficinalis SE (2 or 5Êg/kg per os) or tetrazepam (10Êmg/kg ip), a standard myorelaxant drug. Thirty minutes later, the maximal muscle strength was measured using a grip test, while global skeletal muscle function (endurance and neuromuscular tone) was assessed in a wire hanging test. Compared to tetrazepam, both doses of V.Êofficinalis SE induced a pronounced decrease in skeletal muscle strength without any significant effects on endurance and neuromuscular tone. This study provides clear evidence that the extract of V.Êofficinalis tested has a relaxant effect on skeletal muscle. By decreasing skeletal muscle strength without impacting endurance and neuromuscular tone, V.Êofficinalis SE could induce less undesirable side effects than standard myorelaxant agents, and be particularly useful for avoiding falls in the elderly.

BIOSEB Instruments Used:
Grip strength test (BIO-GS3)