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    Article

    Effect of Valeriana wallichii on Alcohol Addiction in Mice

    Anusua Biswas1, Sugato Banerjee1★★ Corresponding author

    1. 1Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

    CORRESPONDENCE

    Sugato Banerjee

    Department of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

    sbanerjee@bitmesra.ac.in

    Received: 16-07-2018; Revised: 05-09-2018.

    Volume 14, Issue 59s · pp. S613–S618 · PUBLISHED 17 January 2019 · DOI: 10.4103/pm.pm_388_18

    View on Pharmacogn. Mag. original site ↗

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Alcoholism is the most common form of addiction and a worldwide problem. Alcohol addiction primarily leads to alcohol dependence and on abstinence leads to withdrawal effects. Common pharmacological properties of compounds used against alcohol addiction include anti‑anxiety, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, and nootropic actions. valeriana wallichii known ethnopharmacologically for its sleep‑inducing effects have all the above‑pharmacological properties. Aim: Here, we screen valeriana for possible anti‑addictive potential. Materials and Methods: Effect of valeriana was measured on ethanol withdrawal anxiety using elevated plus maze. The role of valeriana on chronic ethanol consumption (21 days) was measured using two bottle choice method of voluntary drinking. We also measured the effect of the above herb on cortico‑hippocampal gamma‑aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. Results: Valeriana was found to reduce ethanol withdrawal anxiety in a dose‑dependent manner. The herb also decreased ethanol intake and increased water intake significantly (P < 0.001) after 4 days of administration. Both these effects were potentiated (P < 0.001) by GABAA agonist zolpidem, and not affected by N‑Methyl D‑aspartic acid antagonist memantine, suggesting the role of GABAA receptor. Chronic administration of valeriana (10 days) also significantly (P < 0.01) increased cortico‑hippocampal GABA levels in mice. Conclusion: Thus, valeriana reduced both ethanol dependence and withdrawal in a GABAA‑dependent manner showing promising anti‑addictive potential.

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      Biswas, A., & Banerjee, S. (2019). Effect of Valeriana wallichii on Alcohol Addiction in Mice. Pharmacognosy Magazine, 14(59s), S613–S618. https://doi.org/10.4103/pm.pm_388_18