ARC Journal of Neuroscience Volume 4, Issue 1 2019, PP 22-26 ISSN 2456-057X http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2456-057X.0401003 www.arcjournals.org Beneficial Neuro-Pharmacological Effect of Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnate L) Farah Al-Mamoori1, Salah Al-windy2, Hayder M. Al-kuraishy3*, Ali I. Al-Gareeb4 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan 2Department of medical microbiology, College of science, Baghdad University, Iraq /Baghdad 3,4Professor in Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine College of Medicine Al-Mustansiriya University, Iraq /Baghdad *Corresponding Author: Hayder M. Al-kuraishy, Professor in Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Medicine College of Medicine Al-Mustansiriya University, Iraq /Baghdad, Email: [email protected] Abstract Background: The Passiflora incarnata plant, belonging to the Passifloraceae family and commonly known as passion fruit, is widespread in tropical areas around the world and used in traditional medicine for the treatment of anxiety, nervousness, and neuralgia. Methods: Evidences from experimental, preclinical and clinical studies are evaluated for bidirectional relationships between Passiflora incarnata and neuropharmacological effects are discussed and opportunities for elaborating these models briefly alluded to. Given the nature of the subject area, it remains clear that this literature search cannot be regarded as mini review. A multiplicity of search strategies took on and assumed which included electronic database searches of Medline and Pubmed using MeSH terms, keywords and title words during the search. Conclusion: Passiflora incarnate is effective herbal medicine for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders and various types of addictions Keywords: Passiflora incarnate, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, addictions 1. INTRODUCTION withdrawal, insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cancer [2]. The Passiflora incarnata plant, belonging to the Passifloraceae family and commonly known as 2. ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS passion fruit, is widespread in tropical areas The main chemical constituents of the Passion around the world and used in traditional medicine flower are the flavonoids (0.25%) such as vitexin, for the treatment of anxiety, nervousness, and isovitexin, orientin, isoorientin, apigenin, neuralgia [1]. kaempferol and quercetin. The genus Passiflora consists of 500 species that The indole alkaloids (0.1%) based on the beta- are mostly found in warm and tropical regions. carboline ring system such as harman, harmin, Passiflora comes from Latin word “Passio” that harmalin, harmol and harmalol. Some other was first time discovered by Spanish discoverers isolated plant constituents have been identified in 1529 and was described as a symbol for such as glycosides, carbohydrates, amino acids, “Passion of Christ. benzopyrones, cyanogenic glycosides such as Passiflora contains several compounds including gyanocardin, pyrone derivatives such as maltol alkaloids, phenols, glycosyl flavonoids and and ethyl maltol. cyanogenic compounds. Two important constituents like chrysin and tri- In some experiments, it has potential effects for substituted benzoflavone moiety (BZF) have treatment of some diseases like anxiety, opiates been isolated [3]. ARC Journal of Neuroscience Page | 22 Beneficial Neuro-Pharmacological Effect of Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnate L) (A) (B) Figure1. Active constituents of P. incarnate, (A):Chrysin , (B): Benzoflavone 3. CLINICAL USES The beneficial effect of the co-treatment of diazepam with BZF is therefore apparent, as 3.1. Addiction and Dependence there are practically very little withdrawal A BZF moiety has been reported recently to be effects even upon chronic intake of diazepam. responsible for the multifarious CNS effects of The BZF moiety of P. incarnata affords a useful P. incarnata Linn. In the light of the established anxiolytic agent being free from dependence- usefulness of the BZF moiety in counteracting liabilities even on a long-term chronic use. The the withdrawal effects of substances like concurrent administration of BZF and diazepam cannabinoids and nicotine, the bioactive BZF give a useful combination therapy, as the BZF moiety has been tested in mice treated with an moiety also prevents the development of addictive dose of ethyl alcohol, in order to diazepam-dependence and the subsequent evaluate its effectiveness in countering alcohol appearance of withdrawal effects. The BZF dependence [4]. moiety from passion flower offers a very valuable moiety in countering the hazard of It has been reported that the BZF of P. substance dependence [8]. incarnata, when administered concurrently with cannabinoids, prevented the development of 3.2. Anticonvulsant Activity tolerance and dependence of cannabinoids in The current therapeutic treatment of epilepsy mice. Even an acute administration of the BZF with modern antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is significantly blocked the expression of associated with side effects, dose-related and withdrawal effects in cannabinoid dependence. chronic toxicity and teratogenic effects, and So these studies suggested that the BZF may approximately 30% of the patients continue to have beneficial role in cannabinoids reversal [5]. have seizures with current AEDs therapy [9]. Natural products from folk remedies have The chronic administration of P. incarnata with contributed considerably in the detection of alcohol had better preventive effects than the contemporary drugs and can be an substitute single acute treatment with P. incarnata in source for the discovery of AEDs with novel alcohol‑dependent mice. structures and superior safety and efficacy These results suggested that the treatment of P. profiles. Verification for anticonvulsant activity incarnata extract could be used as safe and of P. incarnata in the clonic seizure of the alternative drug for alcohol withdrawal [6]. pentylenetetrazole model has been tested. As the protective effects of P. incarnata in clonic Some of the pharmacological studies on the seizure, it suggests that it could be valuable for BZF moiety also confirmed that the BZF moiety treatment of absent seizure. In addition, the isolated from P. incarnata was very effective in significant role of benzodiazepine receptor in countering the threat of nicotine addiction in the effects of P. incarnata should be considered laboratory animals. In light of different reports [10]. mentioning the value of P. incarnata in tobacco The anticonvulsant effect of hydroethanolic and addiction, studies have been performed by using aqueous extract of P. incarnata may be justified the bioactive BZF moiety isolated from the based on the new reports of attendance of γ- aerial parts of P. incarnata. So these studies, amino butyric acid (GABA; an inhibitory amino suggested that the BZF may have value in acid), which is newly been identified as treating nicotine addiction [7]. dominant amino acid in these types of extracts ARC Journal of Neuroscience Page | 23 Beneficial Neuro-Pharmacological Effect of Passion Flower (Passiflora Incarnate L) of P. incarnata. In cold extraction, maximum treatment recovered 5HT content in both amount of GABA was extracted using 44% structures and dopamine content only in the ethanol,suggesting that the anticonvulsant effect hippocampus. Noradrenaline content was not of P. incarnata may be due to GABA. altered by treatments. Therefore, chrysin Therefore, based on above discussion it can be treatment reverses depressive-like behaviors in concluded that chrysin may not be the active hypothyroid female mice and proposing the phytoconstituent responsible for anticonvulsant involvement of 5HT and dopamine in these effect of P. effects [17]. incarnata. But improved formulations of the Besides, chrysin treatment (20 mg/kg) resulted in methanolic extract with better bioavailability of the up-regulation of brain derived neurotrophic chrysin can enhance the clinical usefulness of P. factor (BDNF) levels which plays a role in the incarnate [11]. antidepressant action. Moreover, Singh et al., found that the Thus, chrysin is similar to fluoxetine, is capable hydroethanolic extract of Passiflora incarnata of promoting the attenuation of depressant-like suppress PTZ-induced seizures, and ameliorates behavior and hippocampal dysfunction in mice. its associated post-ictal depression, which has These results reinforced the potential of chrysin been found to be get worsened with the standard for the treatment or supplementary treatment of antiepileptic drug, diazepam [12]. depression, as well as chrysin is also effective 3.3. Anxiolytic and Anti-Depressant Effect therapy in a model of agitated depression [18]. P. incarnata has been used to cure anxiety and Hypnotic effects have also been reported insomnia. A fraction derived from the methanol for Passiflora incarnata L. It has been described extract of P. incarnata has been observed to that numerous pharmacological effects of show significant anxiolytic activity in mice Passiflora incarnata are mediated via modulation using elevated plus-maze (EPM) model of of the GABA system including affinity to anxiety. The likelihood of a phyto-constituent GABA-A and GABA-B receptors, and effects having BZF nucleus as the basic moiety being on GABA uptake [19]. accountable for the bioactivity of P. incarnata is highly anticipated [13]. The possible anxiolytic It is very likely that binding to the GABA-site of effects of chrysin are through modulation of the GABA-A receptor is one of