Valerian essential oil for treating insomnia via the serotonergic synapse pathway

Abstract

Valerian volatile oil can be used in the treatment of insomnia; however, the active components and mechanisms of action are currently unclear. Therefore, we used transcriptome sequencing and weight coefficient network pharmacology to predict the effective components and mechanism of action of valerian volatile oil in an insomnia model induced by intraperitoneal injection of para-Chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) in SD rats. Valerian essential oil was given orally for treatment and the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1 A (5-HT1AR), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and protein kinase A (PKA) in the hippocampus of rats in each group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that after treatment with valerian essential oil, insomnia rats showed significantly prolonged sleep duration and alleviated insomnia-induced tension and anxiety. Regarding the mechanism of action, we believe that caryophyllene in valerian essential oil upregulates the 5-HT1AR receptor to improve the activity or affinity of the central transmitter 5-HT, increase the release of 5-HT, couple 5-HT with a G protein coupled receptor, convert adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into cAMP (catalyzed by ADCY5), and then directly regulate the downstream pathway. Following pathway activation, we propose that the core gene protein kinase PKA activates the serotonergic synapse signal pathway to increase the expression of 5-HT and GABA, thus improving insomnia symptoms and alleviating anxiety. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of valerian volatile oil in health food.

Solid-Phase Microextraction/Gas Chromatography–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Approach Combined with Network Pharmacology Analysis to Evaluate the Quality of Agarwood from Different Regions against Anxiety Disorder

“…Its serum level is associated with anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of agarwood, possibly via multiple neuroactive pathways, including serotonergic synapse and neuroactive ligand–receptor interaction [ 56 ]. Wang et al also found that β-caryophyllene (one out of sixty-two sesquiterpenoids in agarwood) might activate the serotonergic synapse signaling pathway to increase the activity or affinity of the 5-HT, thus alleviating anxiety [ 57 ]. In another study on the anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, a mixture of rosifoliol and agaraspirol with different doses was reported to have some influence on the 5-HT 1A receptor in the serotonergic system [ 24 ].…”

Plasma metabolomic signatures of breast cancer

“…Together with the signaling pathway of HIF-1 and ferroptosis, serotonergic synapse-related DEGs were usually significantly enriched ( 17 ). The serotonergic synapse signal pathway was activated by the core gene protein kinase PKA and the expression of 5-HT and GABA was increased, hence insomnia symptoms were improved and anxiety was alleviated ( 18 ).…”

Differences in Neurotransmitters Level as Biomarker on Sleep Effects in Dementia Patients with Insomnia after Essential Oils Treatment

“…After aromatherapy using lavender oil, 24-h urine-free-cortisol level was reduced. A previous study reported a significant decrease in cortisol levels in saliva and sleep induction after a bath with lavender oil in pregnant women and young infants ( Field et al ., 2008 ; Wang et al ., 2022 ).…”