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Pharmacokinetics of Valerenic Acid After Single and Multiple Doses of Valerian in Older Women

Pharmacokinetics of Valerenic Acid After Single and Multiple Doses of Valerian in Older Women

Gail D Anderson, Gary W Elmer, Diana M Taibi, Michael V Vitiello, Eric Kantor, Thomas F Kalhorn, William N Howald, Suzanne Barsness, Carol A Landis

Phytother Res. 2010 Oct;24(10):1442-6.

PMID: 20878691

Abstract:

Insomnia is a commonly reported clinical problem with as many as 50% of older adults reporting difficulty in falling and/or remaining asleep. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a commonly used herb that has been advocated for promoting sleep. Valerenic acid is used as a marker for quantitative analysis of valerian products with evidence of pharmacological activity relevant to the hypnotic effects of valerian. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of valerenic acid in a group of elderly women after receiving a single nightly valerian dose and after 2 weeks of valerian dosing. There was not a statistically significant difference in the average peak concentration (C(max)), time to maximum concentration (T(max)) area under the time curve (AUC), elimination half-life (T(1/2)) and oral clearance after a single dose compared with multiple dosing. There was considerable inter- and intra-subject variability in the pharmacokinetic parameters. C(max) and AUC deceased and T(1/2) increased with increased body weight. The variability between the capsules was extremely low: 2.2%, 1.4% and 1.4%, for hydroxyvalerenic acid, acetoxyvalerenic acid and valerenic acid, respectively. In conclusion, large variability in the pharmacokinetics of valerenic acid may contribute to the inconsistencies in the effect of valerian as a sleep aid.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP1619165	Hydroxyvalerenic acid		1619-16-5	Price

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