Effects of Valerianae Radix et Rhizoma extract on psychological stress in mice

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.