Comparative study of Valeriana Officinalis root extract¸diazepam and ketamin on CNS depressive effects in cats

Abstract

Valeriana officinalis is a medicinal plant used in alternative medicine for its sedative and anxiolytic properties. It acts trough GABA receptors increases GABA in synaptic space and stimulates GABA receptors. Ketamine and diazepam also acts trough GABA mechanism but with a different pathway. The purpose of our study was to investigate the sedative effects on cats of valerian extract that extremely beloved by cats in combination with ketamine, and evaluate the possibility of its usage in cats and change the routine methods of anti-anxiety and restraining method. 24 healthy short haired mature male cats randomly selected, fed with standard ration and water ad libitum , were divided into three groups G1, G2, G3, received ketamine(11mg/kg), ketamine-diazepam(1mg/kg), and ketamine-valerian (1250 µg/kg PO) respectively. Rate of CNS depression were evaluated by; onset time of effects, peak score, and duration of peak score, total time of effects and highest recorded score. Scores obtained by ataxia, time at which falling recumbent and pinch test over anus, tail and Achilles tendon. This experiment was conducted as blind. Statistical analysis made by variance analysis (ANOVA) and Tukey test, at a significance level of 5% (p

Keywords

• Valeriana officinalis
• Diazepam
• ketamine
• CNS depression