Valerian (herb) some affinity for the GABA receptor, a class of receptors on which benzodiazepines are known to act. Valeric acid, which is responsible for the typical odor of mostly older valerian roots, does not have any sedative properties. Valeric acid is related to valproic acid, a widely prescribed anticonvulsant; valproic acid is a derivative of valeric acid. Valerian also contains isovaltrate, which has been shown to be an inverse agonist for adenosine A receptor sites. This action likely does not contribute to the herb's possible sedative effects, which would be expected from an agonist, rather than an inverse agonist, at this
Valerian Engelhardt officer. In 1852 he received the rank of lieutenant general and was appointed to a senior post in the Corps of Civil Engineers. Engelhardt died on May 20, 1856 in St. Petersburg and is buried in the Volkov Lutheran cemetery. Valerian Engelhardt Valerian Engelhardt () (1798–1856) was a Russian lieutenant general and director of the Russian Institute of Railway Engineers. Engelhardt was born into the nobility of Livonia as a member of the Engelhardt family on December 24, 1798, the son of Colonel F. H. Engelhardt. His brother Nicholas Engelhardt also became a lieutenant general and member of the Order