Background: In traditional medicine, the roots and rhizomes of Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) have been used to decrease gastrointestinal tract motility in intestinal spasms, colic and gastrointestinal disorders of nervous origin. It has been also suggested for alleviation of nausea. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) for documentation of reports available in traditional medicine. Methods: The antiemetic effect of V. officinalis extract (aqueous-ethanolic) against emesis induced by copper sulfate (60 mg/kg, orally) and ipecac (600 mg/kg, orally) was investigated. The number of emesis was counted for 50 and 20 minutes after copper sulfate and ipecac administration, respectively. Results: The extract at doses of 0.28, 0.49 and 0.7 g/kg (ip) exhibited significant protection against copper sulfate and ipecac induced – emesis. The dose of 0.7 g/kg lowered the number of copper sulfate induced- and ipecac induced – emesis of negative control (saline), respectively 65.704% and 79.88%. Conclusion: According to the results, the antiemetic effect of Valerian was significant and it confirms the traditional uses of Valerian in attenuation of nausea.

Background: One of the new methods to overcome problems with using essential oils (such as instability, evaporation and decomposition in the environmental conditions) in pharmaceutical, food and agricultural industries is use of Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) carrier systems.
Objective: Preparation of SLNs containing the Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil.
Methods: In this regard, an experiment was performed on the preparation of SLNs containing the Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil at Nanotechnology Research Center of School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. SLNs containing Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil was prepared using high tensile pressure homogenization and ultrasound. Components of SLNs include lipids, Zataria multiflora Boiss essential in fat phase and poloxamers 188 in the aqueous phase. The mean particle size and zeta potential, essential oil encapsulation percentage and thermal analysis were measured using particle size analysis instruments, gas chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Moreover, an electron microscope was used for imaging of SLNs.
Results: The results showed that particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential of the above formulations were respectively about 486 nm, 0.296, -27.2 mv. The results obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed particle size less than 300 nm and particles were spherical. Thermal analysis by DSC, confirmed the presence of solid particles in the prepared SLN. Also, the essential oil encapsulation percentage was 95.2 percent. Stability studies of particle size and zeta in four months showed SLNs containing essential oils had relatively good stability.
Conclusion: In general, the results of the present research showed that SLNs composed of stearic acid, was good carriers for Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oil.