SUBSCRIBE
Search JIM Advanced Search

Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine ›› 2012, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (4): 424-429.doi: 10.3736/jcim20120411

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of valerian consumption during pregnancy on cortical volume and the levels of zinc and copper in the brain tissue of mouse fetus

Alireza Mahmoudian1, Ziba Rajaei2(), Hossein Haghir1, Shahaboldin Banihashemian1, Javad Hami1   

  1. 1. Department of Anatomical Sciences and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
    2. Neuroscience Research Center and Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
  • Received:2011-12-09 Accepted:2011-12-28 Online:2012-04-20 Published:2018-04-15

RichHTML

1

PDF (PC)

73

Like

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) consumption in pregnancy on cortical volume and the levels of zinc and copper, two essential elements that affect brain development and function, in the brain tissues of mouse fetuses.
Methods: Pregnant female mice were treated with either saline or 1.2 g/kg body weight valerian extract intraperitoneally daily on gestation days (GD) 7 to 17. On GD 20, mice were sacrificed and their fetuses were collected. Fetal brains were dissected, weighed and processed for histological analysis. The volume of cerebral cortex was estimated by the Cavalieri principle. The levels of zinc and copper in the brain tissues were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Results: The results indicated that valerian consumption in pregnancy had no significant effect on brain weight, cerebral cortex volume and copper level in fetal brain. However, it significantly decreased the level of zinc in the brain (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Using valerian during midgestation do not have an adverse effect on cerebral cortex; however, it caused a significant decrease in zinc level in the fetal brain. This suggests that valerian use should be limited during pregnancy.

Key words: Valeriana, prenatal injuries, zinc, copper, stereotaxic techniques, mice

"

Group n Brain weight (mg) Cortical volume (mm3)
Control 15 140.67±7.00 2.41±0.25
Valerian 15 133.78±9.50 2.26±0.22

Figure 1

Photographs of cerebral cortex sections from mouse fetuses stained with hematoxylin-eosin (Light microscopy, ×40) A: Control group; B: Valerian group. Cortical regions are pointed by star signs."

"

Group n Zinc level Copper level
Control 15 36.80±2.34 4.10±0.75
Valerian 15 31.43±2.48* 3.17±1.30
[1] Hadley S, Petry JJ . Valerian. Am Fam Physician. 2003; 67(8):1755-1758.
[2] Wagner H, Jurcic K, Schaette R . Comparative studies on the sedative action of Valeriana extracts, valepotriates and their degradation products. Planta Med. 1980; 39(4):358-365.
doi: 10.1055/s-2008-1074930
[3] Andreatini R, Sartori VA, Seabra ML, Leite JR . Effect of valepotriates (valerian extract) in generalized anxiety disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled pilot study. Phytother Res. 2002; 16(7):650-654.
doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1573
[4] Hiller KO, Zetler G . Neuropharmacological studies on ethanol extracts of Valeriana officinalis L. : behavioural and anticonvulsant properties. Phytother Res. 1996; 10(2):145-151.
doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1573
[5] Oshima Y, Matsuoka S, Ohizumi Y . Antidepressant principles of Valeriana fauriei roots. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1995; 43(1):169-170.
doi: 10.1248/cpb.43.169
[6] Hendriks H, Bos R, Allersma DP, Malingre TM, Koster AS . Pharmacological screening of valerenal and some other components of essential oil of Valeriana officinalis. Planta Med. 1981; 42(1):62-68.
doi: 10.1055/s-2007-971547
[7] Mennini T, Bernasconi P, Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P . In vitro study on the interaction of extracts and pure compounds from Valeriana officinalis roots with GABA, benzodiazepine and barbiturate receptors in rat brain. Fitoterapia. 1993; 64:291-300.
[8] Ortiz JG, Nieves-Natal J, Chavez P . Effects of Valeriana officinalis extracts on [ 3 H] flunitrazepam binding, synaptosomal [ 3 H] GABA uptake, and hippocampal [ 3 H] GABA release . Neurochem Res. 1999; 24(11):1373-1378.
doi: 10.1023/A:1022576405534
[9] Sandstead HH . W.O. Atwater memorial lecture. Zinc: essentiality for brain development and function. Nutr Rev. 1985; 43(5) : 129-137.
[10] Wall work JC, Sandstead HH . Zinc and brain function. Prog Clin Biol Res. 1993; 380:65-80.
[11] Dvergsten CL, Fosmire GJ, Ollerich DA, Sandstead HH . Alterations in the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex due to zinc deficiency. II. Impaired maturation of Purkinje cells. Brain Res. 1984 ; 318(1):11-20.
[12] Dvergsten CL, Johnson LA, Sandstead HH. Alterations in the postnatal development of the cerebellar cortex due to zinc deficiency.Impaired dendritic differentiation of basket and stellate cells. Brain Res. 1984; 318(1) : 21-26.
[13] Halas ES, Eberhardt MJ, Diers MA, Sandstead HH . Learning and memory impairment in adult rats due to severe zinc deficiency during lactation. Physiol Behav. 1983; 30(3):371-381.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(83)90140-3
[14] Halas ES, Hunt CD, Eberhardt MJ . Learning and memory disabilities in young adult rats from mildly zinc deficient dams. Physiol Behav. 1986 ; 37(3) : 451-458.
doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(86)90205-2
[15] Danks DM, Campbell PE, Stevens BJ, Mayne V, Cartwright E . Menkes 5 s kinky hair syndrome. An inherited defect in copper absorption with widespread effects . Pediatrics. 1972; 50(2) : 188-201.
[16] Mercer JF . Menkes syndrome and animal models. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998; 67(5 Suppl) : 1022S-1028S.
doi: 10.1093/ajcn/67.5.1022S
[17] El Meskini R, Crabtree KL, Cline LB, Mains RE, Eipper BA, Ronnett GV . ATP7A (Menkes protein) functions in axonal targeting and synaptogenesis. Mol Cell Neurosci. 2007; 34(3):409-421.
doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2006.11.018
[18] Penland JG, Prohaska JR . Abnormal motor function persists following recovery from perinatal copper deficiency in rats.J Nutr. 2004; 134(8):1984-1988.
doi: 10.1093/jn/134.8.1984
[19] Zimmerman AW, Matthieu JM, Quarles RH, Brady RO, Hsu JM . Hypomyelination in copper-deficient rats. Prenatal and postnatal copper replacement. Arch Neurol. 1976; 33(2):111-119.
doi: 10.1001/archneur.1976.00500020039007
[20] Gundersen HJ, Jensen EB . The efficiency of systematic sampling in stereology and its prediction.J Microsc. 1987; 147(3) : 229-263.
doi: 10.1111/jmi.1987.147.issue-3
[21] Sonmez OF, Odaci E, Bas O, Colakoglu S, Sahin B, Bilgic S, Kaplan S . A stereological study of MRI and the Cavalieri principle combined for diagnosis and monitoring of brain tumor volume.J Clin Neurosci. 2010; 17(12) : 1499-1502.
doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2010.03.044
[22] Parker MM, Humoller FL, Mahler DJ . Determination of copper and zinc in biological material. Clin Chem. 1967; 13(1) : 40-48.
[23] Bounthanh C, Richert L, Beck JP, Haag-Berrurier M, Anton R . The action of valepotriates on the synthesis of DNA and proteins of cultured hepatoma cells. Planta Med. 1983; 49(11) : 138-142.
doi: 10.1055/s-2007-969834
[24] Bos R, Hendriks H, Scheffer JJC, Woerdenbag HJ . Cytotoxic potential of valerian constituents and valerian tinctures. Phytomedicine. 1998 ; 5(3) : 219-225.
doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(98)80032-9
[25] Tortarolo M, Braun R, Hiibner GE, Maurer HR . In vitro effects of epoxide-bearing alepotriates on mouse early hematopoietic progenitor cells and human T- lymphocytes. Arch Toxicol. 1982 ; 51(1) : 37-42.
doi: 10.1007/BF00279319
[26] von der Hude W, Scheutwinkel-Reich M, Braun R . Bacterial mutagenicity of the tranquilizing constituents of Valerianaceae roots. Mutat Res. 1986; 169(1-2):23-27.
doi: 10.1016/0165-1218(86)90013-3
[27] Bounthanh C, Bergmann C, Beck JP, Haag-Berrurier M, Anton R . Valepotriates, a new class of cytotoxic and antitumor agents. Planta Med. 1981; 41(1):21-28.
doi: 10.1055/s-2007-971668
[28] Tufik S, Fujita K, Seabra Mde L, Lobo LL . Effects of a prolonged administration of valepotriates in rats on the mothers and their offspring.J Ethnopharmacol. 1994; 41(1-2):39-44.
doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)90055-8
[29] Chan TY, Tang CH, Critchley JA . Poisoning due to an over-the-counter hypnotic, Sleep-Qik (hyoscine, cyproheptadine, valerian). Postgrad Med J. 1995 ; 71(834):227-228.
doi: 10.1136/pgmj.71.834.227
[30] Yao M, Ritchie HE, Brown-Woodman PD . A developmental toxicity-screening test of valerian.J Ethnopharmacol. 2007; 113(2):204-209.
doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.05.028
[31] Houghton PJ . Valerian: the genus Valeriana. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers. 1997.
[32] Hanna LA, Clegg MS, Momma TY, Daston GP, Rogers JM, Keen CL . Zinc influences the in vitro development of peri-implantation mouse embryos . Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2003; 67(6):414-420.
[33] Jankowski MA, Uriu-Hare JY, Rucker RB, Rogers JM, Keen CL . Maternal zinc deficiency, but not copper deficiency or diabetes, results in increased embryonic cell death in the rat: implications for mechanisms underlying abnormal development. Teratology. 1995; 51(2) : 85-93.
doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1096-9926
[34] Rogers JM, Taubeneck MW, Daston GP, Sulik KK, Zucker RM, Elstein KH, Jankowski MA, Keen CL . Zinc deficiency causes apoptosis but not cell cycle alterations in organogenesis-stage rat embryos: effect of varying duration of deficiency. Teratology. 1995; 52(3) : 149-159.
doi: 10.1002/(ISSN)1096-9926
[35] Lopez V, Keen CL, Lanoue L . Prenatal zinc deficiency: influence on heart morphology and distribution of key heart proteins in a rat model. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008; 122(3):238-255.
doi: 10.1007/s12011-007-8079-2
[36] Adamo AM, Oteiza PI . Zinc deficiency and neurodevelopment: the case of neurons. Biofactors. 2010; 36(2):117-124.
[37] Dobbing J, Smart JL . Vulnerability of developing brain and behaviour. Br Med Bull. 1974; 30(2):164-168.
doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.bmb.a071188
[38] Clegg MS, Hanna LA, Niles BJ, Momma TY, Keen CL . Zinc deficiency-induced cell death. IUBMB Life. 2005; 57(10) : 661-669.
doi: 10.1080/15216540500264554
[39] Hashemi M, Ghavami S, Eshraghi M, Booy EP, Los M . Cytotoxic effects of intra and extracellular zinc chelation on human breast cancer cells. Eur J Pharmacol. 2007; 557(1) : 9-19.
doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.010
[40] Perry DK, Smyth MJ, Stennicke HR, Salvesen GS, Duriez P, Poirier GG, Hannun YA . Zinc is a potent inhibitor of the apoptotic protease, caspase-3. A novel target for zinc in the inhibition of apoptosis.J Biol Chem. 1997; 272(30):18530-18533.
doi: 10.1074/jbc.272.30.18530
[41] Golub MS, Keen CL, Gershwin ME, Hendrickx AG . Developmental zinc deficiency and behavior.J Nutr. 1995; 125(8 Suppl):2263S-2271S.
doi: 10.1093/jn/125.suppl_8.2263S
[42] Golub MS, Takeuchi PT, Keen CL, Hendrickx AG, Gershwin ME . Activity and attention in zinc-deprived adolescent monkeys. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996; 64(6):908-915.
doi: 10.1093/ajcn/64.6.908
[1] Victor Abou Nehmi Filho, Gilson Masahiro Murata, Ruan Carlos Macêdo de Moraes, Gabriely Cristina Alves Lima, Danielle Araujo de Miranda, Katrin Radloff, Raquel Galvão Figuerêdo Costa, Joyce de Cassia Rosa de Jesus, Jéssica Alves De Freitas, Nayara Izabel Viana, Ruan Pimenta, Katia Ramos Moreira Leite, José Pinhata Otoch, Ana Flávia Marçal Pessoa. A novel supplement with yeast β-glucan, prebiotic, minerals and Silybum marianum synergistically modulates metabolic and inflammatory pathways and improves steatosis in obese mice. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 439-450.
[2] Hao Gou, Ruo-chen Huang, Yong-hua Su, Wei Li. Design of dual targeting immunomicelles loaded with bufalin and study of their anti-tumor effect on liver cancer. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 408-417.
[3] Yi Ran Hu, San Li Xing, Chuan Chen, Ding Zhu Shen, Jiu Lin Chen. Tiaoxin Recipe, a Chinese herbal formula, inhibits microRNA-34a expression in the APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2019, 17(6): 404-409.
[4] Bhesh Raj Sharma, Dong Wook Kim, Dong Young Rhyu. Korean Chungtaejeon tea extract attenuates weight gain in C57BL/6J-Lep ob/ob mice and regulates adipogenesis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2017, 15(1): 56-63.
[5] Shi-li Jiang, Xu-dong Hu, Ping Liu. Immunomodulation and liver protection of Yinchenhao decoction against concanavalin A-induced chronic liver injury in mice. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(4): 262-268.
[6] Elizabeth Abidemi Balogun, Sylvia Orume Malomo, Joseph Oluwatope Adebayo, Ahmed Adebayo Ishola, Ayodele Olufemi Soladoye, Lawrence Aderemi Olatunji, Olatunji Matthew Kolawole, Stephen Olubunmi Oguntoye, Abiola Samuel Babatunde, Oluwole Busayo Akinola . In vivo antimalarial activity and toxicological effects of methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera (Dwarf red variety) husk fibre. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(6): 504-511.
[7] Md. Asadujjaman, Ahmed Ullah Mishuk, Md. Aslam Hossain, Utpal Kumar Karmakar. Medicinal potential of Passiflora foetida L. plant extracts: Biological and pharmacological activities. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2014, 12(2): 121-126.
[8] Marjan Nassiri-Asl, Taghi Naserpour Farivar, Esmail Abbasi, Hamid Reza Sadeghnia, Mehdi Sheikhi, Mina Lotfizadeh, Parisa Bazahang. Effects of rutin on oxidative stress in mice with kainic acid-induced seizure. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(5): 337-342.
[9] Md. Khirul Islam, Imran Mahmud, Sanjib Saha, Asit Baron Sarker, Himangsu Mondal, A.S.M. Monjur-Al-Hossain, Md. Anisuzzman. Preliminary pharmacological evaluation of Alocasia indica Schott tuber. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(5): 343-351.
[10] Sanjib Saha, Faroque Hossain, Md. Anisuzzman, Md. Khirul Islam. Pharmacological evaluation of Musa seminifera Lour. Fruit. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(4): 253-261.
[11] Sunil A. Nirmal, Jayashri M. Ingale, Shashikant R. Pattan, Sanjay B. Bhawar. Amaranthus roxburghianus root extract in combination with piperine as a potential treatment of ulcerative colitis in mice. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2013, 11(3): 206-212.
[12] Mei-jiao Mao, Jun-ping Hu, Cong Wang, Yi-yi Zhang, Ping Liu. Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Guanxinkang on expression of PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 pathway in ApoE-knockout mice with atherosclerosis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(7): 814-820.
[13] Lin Wang, Guan-liang Wang, Jia-han Liu, Di Li, De-zeng Zhu, Liang-neng Wu . Effects of ursolic acid in ameliorating insulin resistance in liver of KKAy mice via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(7): 793-799.
[14] Yi-tao Zhao , Xin-guang Zhang , Li Bai , Li-qing Li , Jian-er Yu . Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Pingchuan Formula on airway inflammation, interferon-γ and interleukin-4 in mice with asthma. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(7): 807-813.
[15] Dong-mei Zhang, Li-xia Lou, Ai-ming Wu, Xi-ying Lü, Zhao-juan Hu, Yan-hong Zhang, Hong-fang Liu. Effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Potentilla discolor mixture on insulin resistance and its related mRNA expressions in KKAy mice with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(7): 821-826.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
[1] Dong Yang, Yong-ping Du, Qing Shen, Wei Chen, Yan Yu, Guang-lei Chen. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in renal tubulointerstitium in patients with kidney collateral stasis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 41-44
[2] Hai-feng Wei, Bai-liu Ya, Ling Zhao, Cui-fei Ye, Li Zhang, Lin Li. Evaluation of tongue manifestation of blood stasis syndrome and its relationship with blood rheological disorder in a rat model of transient brain ischemia. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 73-76
[3] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Herbal medicines for viral myocarditis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 76
[4] Xi Lin, Jian-ping Liu. Tai chi for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 82
[5] Liang-ping Hu, Hui Gao. Discrimination of errors in statistical analysis of medical papers published in the first issue of 2006 in Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 98-106
[6] Yan-bo Zhu , Qi Wang, Cheng-yu Wu, Guo-ming Pang, Jian-xiong Zhao, Shi-lin Shen, Zhong-yuan Xia , Xue Yan . Logistic regression analysis on relationships between traditional Chinese medicine constitutional types and overweight or obesity. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1023-1035
[7] Wei Xu, Meng Shi, Jian-gang Liu, Cheng-long Wang . Collagen protein expressions in ischemic myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction and effects of qi-tonifying, yin-tonifying and blood-activating herbs and detoxifying and blood-activating herbs. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1041-1047
[8] Tao Wang , Feng Qin. Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Xiaoyao Powder on monoamine neurotransmitters in hippocampus of rats with postpartum depression. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1075-1079
[9] Ying Xu , Chang-chun Zeng , Xiu-yu Cai , Rong-ping Guo , Guang Nie , Ying Jin. Chromaticity and optical spectrum colorimetry of the tongue color in different syndromes of primary hepatic carcinoma. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1263-1271
[10] Xiang-ying Mao , Qin Bian , Zi-yin Shen. Analysis of the osteogenetic effects exerted on mesenchymal stem cell strain C3H10T1/2 by icariin via MAPK signaling pathway in vitro. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1272-1278
Journal of Integrative Medicine, ISSN: 2095-4964 CN 31-2083/R
Copyright © Journal of Integrative Medicine
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd
沪公网安备31010602003416号      沪ICP备18017633号-3