A Review on Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Biotechnological Studies in Valeriana officinalis L., An Important Medicinal Herb
Anwar Shahzad and Taiba Saeed
Hippocratic Journal of Unani Medicine
Hippocratic Journal of Unani Medicine January - March 2015, Vol. 10 No. 1, Pages 53-71
सार
edicinal plants are serving mankind to cure ailments since time immemorial and today they are equally important even with a higher potential, because of the understanding of the mechanism of action with the advent of modern technique and extensive research. The present review looks into the medicinal potentials of Valeriana officinalis. To encompass the major activities of this plant, information is collected pertaining to phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and biotechnological investigation carried out in various laboratories world-wide. Valeriana officinalis, known as Sumbu-ul-teeb in Unani system of medicine, is an important source of various bioactive compound viz. valerenic acid, valepotriates, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans etc. Pharmaceutical application of valerian is due to its sedative, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antihypertensive, hypnotic, antispasmodic, antidysmenorrheal and anxiolytic activity. The literature reviewed on biotechnological approaches include in vitro protocols for large scale production of valerian, genetic transformation and elicitation studies undertaken for enhanced production of valerenic acid.