Valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates among individuals, varieties and species of Valeriana.

To investigate the variations of active compounds between species, varieties and individuals of Valeriana cultivated under the same environmental condition, the contents of valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates in rhizomes and roots of different plant material were analysed by a HPLC method. Different species or varieties of Valeriana yielded 11.65-0.15 mg/g of valerenic acid derivatives, and 1.81-0.03 mg/g of valepotriates. The variation between individuals of one commercial cultivar of V. officinalis ranged from 12.34 to 3.01 mg/g of valerenic acid derivatives, and 3.67-0.92 mg/g of valepotriates. Individuals from self-pollinated mother plants, normal or regenerated, showed a similar variation. The variation of micropropagated plants was much less than the seed propagated plants. The ratio of mean values between valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates was similar in all groups (3 < ratio < 8) except one group of micropropagated plants (ratio > 20).