Letter to editor: Antimicrobial properties of medicinal plants; The new therapeutic aspect of Valeriana officinalis

The increased use of antibiotics and chemicals with various side effects is now persuading scientists to develop natural substitutes with appropriate effectiveness and protection for humans. V. officinalis rhizomes contain two major constituent groups, including volatile oil sesquiterpens and valpotriates. Valerenic acid can be used to in different disorders such as depression, chronic anxiety, and sleep disorders on the basis of previous studies4. Based on previous literatures, the valerenic acid component had antimicrobial effects on different microorganisms such as Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans and its methanolic extract functions were dose-dependent. Since the antimicrobial activity of V. officinalis in the total extract was correlated with abundant monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids, more research on various aspects of pharmaceutical effects is suggested.