Valerian composition and related methods

A composition comprising a therapeutically effective pharmaceutical dosage form having:

• a solid core including valerian within an acidified polymer matrix;
• an expedited release portion including a first fraction of the valerian, the expedited release portion being effective to release the first fraction within about 2 hours from placement in a 0.1 N HCl solution;
• and
• a sustained release portion including a second fraction of the valerian, the sustained release portion being effective to release the second fraction from at least 2 to within about 10 hours from placement in a phosphate buffer with a pH of 6.8;
• the pharmaceutical dosage form being selected from a tablet and a capsule;
• the acidified polymer matrix comprising:
• at least one acidifying agent selected from the group consisting of citric acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, and hydrochloric acid;
• and
• at least one hydrogel-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of a carboxymethylcellulose, a methylcellulose, a hydroxypropylcellulose, a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, a hyaluronate, an alginate, a pectin, a poloxamer, a poloxamine, an ethylene vinyl acetate, a polyethylene glycol, a dextran, a polyvinylpyrrolidone, a chitosan, a polyvinylalcohol, a propylene glycol, a polyvinylacetate, a polylactic acid, and a polyhydroxybutyric acid;
• wherein the acidified polymer matrix includes a valerian stability improving amount of the acidifying agent that makes the pharmaceutical dosage form storage stable by reducing degradation of the valerian when the pharmaceutical dosage form is stored at 25 degrees C. and 60% relative humidity.