中文摘要：

缬草（Valeriana officinalis L．）为败酱科缬草属植物，具有镇静催眠活性，在欧美国家广泛用于治疗轻中度失眠。其镇静催眠的活性成分主要集中在挥发油、缬草素类、黄酮类以及水溶性氨基酸成分等。挥发油的特征性成分有乙酸龙脑酯、缬草烯酸，缬草素类成分主要有缬草三酯、二氢缬草素和乙酰缬草素。缬草素类和挥发油类之间可能存在协同作用。

英文摘要：

The roots of Valeriana officinalis （family of valerianaceae） have been widely used for treating mild or moderate insomnia in Europe and America for a long time. The active substances include total valepotriates, volatile oils, flavones and water soluble amino acids. Valerenic acid and bornyl acetate are the characteristic constituents of the volatile oil of valerian. The total valepotriates mainly include valtrate, didrovaltrate and acevaltrate. The volatile oils and total valepotriates may show synergistic action.