Preprint / Version 1

Comparative and Functional Screening of Three Species Traditionally used as Antidepressants: Valeriana officinalis L., Valeriana jatamansi Jones ex Roxb. and Nardostachys jatamansi (D.Don) DC.

Authors

  • Laura Cornara Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; [email protected] (L.C.); [email protected] (G.A.)
  • Marco Valussi European Herbal and Traditional Medicine Practitioners Association (EHTPA), Norwich 13815, UK; [email protected]
  • Govinda Ghimire Nepal Herbs and Herbal Products Association, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal; [email protected]
  • Massimo Labra Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; [email protected]
  • Jessica Frigerio FEM2 Ambiente Srl, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy; [email protected]
  • Susanna Alloisio ETT Spa, via Sestri 37, 16154 Genova, Italy; [email protected]
  • Marcella Denaro Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (D.T.); [email protected] (M.D.)
  • Domenico Trombetta Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (D.T.); [email protected] (M.D.)
  • Gabriele Ambu Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy; [email protected] (L.C.); [email protected] (G.A.)
  • Antonella Smeriglio Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Via Giovanni Palatucci, 98168 Messina, Italy; [email protected] (D.T.); [email protected] (M.D.)

Keywords:

Caprifoliaceae, essential oil, acetylcholinesterase, neuroactive effects, MEA analyses, DNA barcoding, micromorphology, botanicals authentication

Abstract

The essential oils (EOs) of three Caprifoliaceae species, the Eurasiatic Valeriana officinalis (Vo), the Himalayan Valeriana jatamansi (Vj) and Nardostachys jatamansi (Nj), are traditionally used to treat neurological disorders. Roots/rhizomes micromorphology, DNA barcoding and EOs phytochemical characterization were carried out, while biological effects on the nervous system were assessed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity and microelectrode arrays (MEA). Nj showed the highest inhibitory activity on AChE (IC50 67.15 μg/mL) followed by Vo (IC50 127.30 μg/mL) and Vj (IC50 246.84 μg/mL). MEA analyses on rat cortical neurons, carried out by recording mean firing rate (MFR) and mean bursting rate (MBR), revealed stronger inhibition by Nj (IC50 18.8 and 11.1 μg/mL) and Vo (16.5 and 22.5 μg/mL), compared with Vj (68.5 and 89.3 μg/mL). These results could be related to different EO compositions, since sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes significantly contribute to the observed effects, but the presence of oxygenated compounds such as aldehydes and ketones is a discriminating factor in determining the order of potency. Our multidisciplinary approach represents an important tool to avoid the adulteration of herbal drugs and permits the evaluation of the effectiveness of EOs that could be used for a wide range of therapeutic applications. Keywords: Caprifoliaceae, essential oil, acetylcholinesterase, neuroactive effects, MEA analyses, DNA barcoding, micromorphology, botanicals authentication

Author Biography

Susanna Alloisio, ETT Spa, via Sestri 37, 16154 Genova, Italy; [email protected]

Institute of Biophysics-CNR, 16149 Genova, Italy

Downloads