Antidepressant principles of Valeriana fauriei roots.

A methanol extract of the roots of Valeriana fauriei (Valerianaceae), exhibited antidepressant activity in mice. The extract was fractioned, monitored by the activity, to afford alpha-kessyl alcohol as an active principle. The antidepressant activity of some guaiane and valerane types of sesquiterpenoids in the active fraction was also evaluated.