Valerenic acid

Colorless and odorless solid

Fixed

140-142 ° C

Partially soluble in water

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Valerenic is a sesquiterpene that occurs in the genuine valerian (Valeriana officinalis). There it serves as an indicator because it is not included in most other species of Valeriana. Valerenic is not to be confused with valeric acid, which is a trivial name for pentanoic acid, which also occurs in valerian.

Valerenic acting muscle relaxant, spasmolytic and CNS dampening.

Valerenic acid is an allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor and acts chloride current boosting. This effect is limited solely to channels containing β2 or β3 subunits. The acid docked probably at about the Loreclezol binding site and is significantly more effective than its ethyl ester as an anxiolytic. The receptor - modulating activity is exceeded by the isosteric tetrazole compound is one order of magnitude.

In addition inhibit valerenic and related sesquiterpenes the degradation of the neurotransmitter γ -aminobutyric acid ( GABA). Source?

At 5 - HT5A receptor acts as a partial agonist valerenic.