Valeriana officinalis is one of the most popular medicinal plants commonly used as a sedative and sleep aid. It is suggested that its\npharmacologically active compounds derived from the root may modulate the CYP3A4 gene expression by activation of pregnane\nX receptor (PXR) or constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) and lead to pharmacokinetic herb-drug interactions. The aim of the\nstudy was to determine the influence of valerian on the expression level of CYP3A1 (homologue to human CYP3A4) as well as\nnuclear receptors PXR, CAR, RXR, GR, and HNF-4????. Male Wistar rats were given standardized valerian extract (300mg/kg/day,\np.o.) for 3 and 10 days. The expression in liver tissue was analyzed by using real-time PCR. Our result showed a decrease of CYP3A1\nexpression level by 35% (P = 0.248) and 37% (P < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, Valeriana exhibited statistically significant\nreduction in RXR (approximately 28%) only after 3-day treatment. We also demonstrated a decrease in the amount HNF-4???? by\n22% (P = 0.005) and 32% (P = 0.012), respectively. In case of CAR, the increase of expression level by 46% (P = 0.023) was noted.\nThese findings suggest that Valeriana officinalis extract can decrease the CYP3A4 expression and therefore may lead to interactions\nwith synthetic drugs metabolized by this enzyme.
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