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Product name: Valerenic acid
Synonym name: (-)-Valerenic acid；Nardin
Catalogue No.: BP4739
Cas No.: 3569-10-6
Formula: C15H22O2
Mol Weight: 234.339
Botanical Source:
Type of Compound:
Purity: 95%~99%
Analysis Method: HPLC-DAD or/and HPLC-ELSD
Identification Method: Mass, NMR
Packing: Brown vial or HDPE plastic bottle
Storage: Store in a well closed container, protected from air and light. Put into refrigerate or freeze for long term storage.
Whenever possible, you should prepare and use solutions on the same day. However, if you need to make up stock solutions in advance, we recommend that you store the solution as aliquots in tightly sealed vials at -20℃. Generally, these will be useable for up to two weeks.
The product could be supplied from milligrams to grams
Inquire for bulk scale.
For Reference Standard and R&D, Not for Human Use Directly.
HPLC of Valerenic acid
Storage conditions：Short-term storage at 2~8℃, long-term storage at -20 ~ -80℃
37.3000
4.1047
1.3226
.1498
6.1214
10.2978
High
90.5580
4.0443
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
0.0
No
No
Yes
No
Valerenic acid (CAS No.: 3569-10-6) is a sesquiterpene natural product isolated from the traditional herbal valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.). As one of the main active ingredients in valerian, valerian acid has attracted attention for its significant central nervous system regulation. In recent years, with in-depth research into the pharmacology of natural products, valuronic acid, as an orally active GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator and partial 5-HT5a receptor agonist, has gradually revealed its multiple biological activities including anxiolytic, sedational, and antioxidant properties. This paper systematically reviews the chemical structure and physicochemical properties of valuronic acid, plant origin and extraction methods, pharmacological activity, mechanism of action, druggability evaluation, and clinical application prospects, aiming to provide theoretical basis and research reference for further drug development and clinical application.
Valerencic acid is a sesquiterpene compound with a molecular formula of C15H22O2 and a molecular weight of 234.3390. Its structural features include a sesquiterpene skeleton containing a cyclopentene ring and a carboxylic acid functional group, which is an optical isomer of (-)-valuronic acid. Valerated acid has a LogP value of 4.1047, indicating strong lipophilus, which facilitates lipid membrane penetration, especially the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Its topological polar surface area (TPSA) is 37.3 Ų, further supporting its excellent membrane permeability. Low water solubility (0.1498 mg/mL) suggests limited solubility in the aqueous phase, but this also aligns with the characteristics of most fat-soluble natural products. In vitro safety evaluation, valerino acid showed no hERG channel inhibitory activity, and the Ames-induced mutagenic test was negative, indicating a solid safety foundation.
The chemical structure of valerino acid is as follows:
O
||
C-C5环-倍半萜骨架
(Note: This is a structural schematic; please refer to the relevant chemical databases for specific structures.)
Valerian is mainly found in the roots and rhizomes of valeriana officinalis L. Valerian is a perennial herbaceous plant widely distributed in Europe and North America, widely studied for its traditional sedative and anti-anxiety uses. Valerian root contains a variety of active ingredients, including essential oils, valerian acid and its derivatives, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and organic acids.
Valerino acid extraction is usually performed using solvent extraction combined with chromatography separation technology. Common extraction solvents include ethanol, methanol, and ethyl acetate. The specific steps generally include:
In recent years, emerging technologies such as supercritical CO2 extraction and microwave-assisted extraction have also been applied to the extraction of valerino acid, significantly improving extraction efficiency and purity.
Valer, as the main active ingredient of valer, exhibits various central nervous system pharmacological activities, mainly including anxiolytic, sedating, antidepressant, and antioxidant effects.
Numerous in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that valoric acid has significant anti-anxiety effects. Its anti-anxiety effect is mainly achieved by modulating GABAA receptors. GABAA receptors are the main inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system, regulating neuroexcitatory balance. Valerated acid, as a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, can enhance GABA-mediated neuroinhibition, thereby exerting anti-anxiety effects.
Additionally, valeronic acid acts on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor subtype 5-HT5a, acting as a partial agonist regulating the neurotransmitter system and further promoting anti-anxiety activity.
Valerated acid can induce sedative and hypnotic effects by enhancing GABAA receptor function. Animal experiments have shown that valerino acid can shorten sleep latency, extend sleep duration, and exhibit good sedative-hypnotic activity.
Some studies have also found that valeronic acid can regulate neurotransmitters and signaling pathways such as dopamine (DRD2), serotonin (HTR1A, HTR2A), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), demonstrating potential antidepressant effects.
Valerian has significant antioxidant properties, capable of scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress damage. Its antioxidant mechanism may be related to the carboxylic acid groups and lipophilic characteristics in its sesquiterpene structure, effectively protecting nerve cells from oxidative damage and promoting neuroprotection.
The pharmacological effects of valerino acid are mainly realized through multiple targets and multiple pathways, involving neurotransmitter receptors, signal transduction molecules, and neurotrophic factors.
Valerated acid acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, especially by mediating its anti-anxiety activity through GABAA receptors containing β3 subunits. The GABAA receptor is a ligand-gated chloride channel; when GABA binds, it causes chloride ion influx, resulting in neural inhibition. Valerated acid enhances the effects of GABA and improves neuronal inhibitory signaling, thereby reducing anxiety and inducing sedation.
Valeronic acid acts as a partial agonist of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT5a receptor, modulating the 5-HT nervous system. The 5-HT5a receptor plays an important role in regulating mood, sleep, and cognitive function, and the stimulating action of valuronic acid helps improve anxiety and mood disorders.
Valerated acid also involves targets such as dopamine receptor (DRD2), serotonin receptor (HTR1A, HTR2A), and neurotransmitter transporter protein (SLC6A4), regulating neurotransmitter balance. Additionally, valeronic acid can influence the activity of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA), regulate neurotransmitter metabolism, and thus exert anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects.
Valerated acid affects the expression of cAMP reactive element binding protein 1 (CREB1) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promoting neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. The regulation of these signaling pathways helps improve neural function and alleviates symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Valerino acid has good druggability characteristics. Its molecular weight is 234.3390, meeting the Lipinski rule, with a LogP of 4.1, indicating moderate lipid solubility, which is beneficial for oral absorption and blood-brain barrier penetration. TPSA is 37.3 Ų, and low polarity helps with central nervous system penetration.
Low water solubility (0.1498 mg/mL) may limit its bioavailability, but it can be improved through formulation technology. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies show that oral valuronic acid can effectively enter brain tissue and exert central functions.
In terms of safety, valuronic acid showed no hERG channel inhibition, reducing the risk of cardiotoxicity; The Ames test was negative, indicating no mutagenicity and relatively high safety.
However, the metabolic pathway of valerino acid still requires further research. Preliminary data suggest it may be metabolized via the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme system, posing potential drug interaction risks.
Valerian acid, as the main active ingredient of valerian, has broad clinical application prospects due to its remarkable anti-anxiety, sedating, and antioxidant properties. Currently, valerian extract is widely used as a natural medicine as an adjunct treatment for anxiety disorders and sleep disorders, and the purification and monomer research of valerian acid have laid the foundation for its standardized and regulated drug development.
In the future, valuronic acid could serve as a candidate compound for novel anti-anxiety drugs, especially suitable for patients with mild to moderate anxiety and those with poor tolerance to traditional drugs. Its multi-target mechanism of action offers the potential to treat various neuropsychiatric disorders.
Additionally, the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of valuronic acid suggest its potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive impairment, and other fields.
However, the clinical application of valerino acid still faces some challenges, including limited bioavailability due to low water solubility, unclear pharmacokinetic characteristics, and insufficient long-term safety evaluation. Future research should focus on:
Valerian acid, a sesquiterpene natural product derived from traditional herbal valerian herb, has become an important research subject in the field of natural product pharmacology due to its unique chemical structure and multi-target pharmacological effects. By modulating GABAA and 5-HT5a receptors, it exerts significant anxiolytic, sedating, and antioxidant effects, demonstrating good druggability and safety.
Although significant progress has been made in vagueranic acid research, its pharmacokinetic properties, long-term safety, and clinical efficacy still require further exploration. In the future, by combining modern medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, and clinical research methods, valuronic acid is expected to develop into a safe and effective novel central nervous system drug, providing new strategies and options for the treatment of anxiety disorders and related neuropsychiatric disorders.
Shenshuai
Wenjing
Hedandan