Passion Flower (Passiflora
incarnata L.) 2007
The aerial parts of Passion Flower have been believed to
benefit various conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and
gastrointestinal disturbance. Passion Flower is generally
considered to be a safe herb with limited side effects.
However, adverse events have been reported in the past.
Passion Flower may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding
and liver damage. Users should avoid using Passion Flower
together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, hypnotics,
blood-thinning agents, and tyramine/tryptophan.
What are the active ingredients of Passion-flower?
Passiflora incarnata L. has isovitexin as one of the major flavonoids.
The highest concentration of isovitexin occurs between pre-flowering
and flowering stages. Passiflora incarnata has four major C-glycosidic
flavonoids and they are schaftoside, isoschaftoside,
isovetexin-2''-O-glucopyranoside and
isoorientin-2''-O-glucopyranoside. [2] Its leaves contain the largest
accumulation of flavonids. [1]
What are the potent health benefits of Passion-flower?
Researchers from Universite de Metz, France, demonstrated the
anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts of the aerial parts of
Passiflora incarnata L. (Passion-flower) and its indole alkaloids and
flavonoids in a study of mice. [3] Some other also showed similar
effects of passion flower extract on anxiety in animals. [9,10]
A tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from the
methanol extract of aerial parts of the plant Passiflora incarnata
Linneaus had exhibited encouraging results in countering the
dependence produced by addiction-prone substances like morphine,
nicotine, cannabinoids and ethyl alcohol, during the studies performed
by the researchers. [5,11]
Researchers from Panjab University, India suggested the potential
benefits of the passion flower on asthma. They treated acetylcholine
chloride (Ach)-induced-bronchospasm in guinea-pigs with passion
flower extracts at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. After 7-day
treatment regimen, they noted a significant prevention of
dyspnoea-related-convulsions in animals. [6]
Researchers from Panjab University, India, suggest that a
benzoflavone moiety (BZF) extracted from passion flower may have
value in treating nicotine addiction. Those mice treated with the two
highest doses of BZF,in combination with nicotine showed significantly
fewer nicotine-abstinence withdrawal jumps and normal ambulatory
behavior. BZF treatment also prevented weight loss and resulted in
normal performance in a swimming endurance test, which may be a
measure of stress and/or depression. Similarly, acute administration
of a single 20 mg/kg dose of BZF prevented some of the
nicotine-withdrawal effects; lower doses were almost inert. [7]
Excessive long term consumption of alcohol and nicotine have serious
detrimental effects upon the libido, fertility, and sperm count in male
species. In an animal study, Indian researchers found that BZF
speeds up the restoration of sexuality in rats upon cessation of the
administration of substances like alcohol, nicotine and alcohol-nicotine
combinations, which have severe detrimental effects upon male
sexuality, fertility and vigour. BZF, the strongest inhibitor of aromatase
enzyme, when administered concurrently with substances like alcohol
and nicotine restores sexual virility, libido and vigour in male rats by
maintaining the blood-testosterone levels to be high. [8]
What are the potent side effects of Passion-flower?
Low dose of passion flower is probably safe. A 34-year-old female
developed severe nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, prolonged QTc, and
episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia following
self-administration of a herbal remedy, Passiflora incarnata L., at
therapeutic doses. [4]
This article is for your reference only. Most supports for the health claims are from animal
studies; human studies are needed for the claims. Consult with your doctor for any
questions or before using any supplement. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2006.
[1] Menghini A, Mancini LA. TLC determination of flavonoid accumulation in clonal
populations of Passiflora incarnata L. Pharmacol Res Commun. 1988 Dec;20 Suppl 5:113-6.
[2] Li QM, et al, Mass spectral characterization of C-glycosidic flavonoids isolated from a
medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata). J Chromatogr. 1991 Jan 2;562(1-2):435-46. [3]
Soulimani R, et la, Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and
flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Jun;57(1):11-20. [4]
Fisher AA, et al, Toxicity of Passiflora incarnata L. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2000;38(1):63-6. [5]
Dhawan K, et al, Attenuation of benzodiazepine dependence in mice by a tri-substituted
benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus: a non-habit forming anxiolytic. J
Pharm Pharm Sci. 2003 May-Aug;6(2):215-22. [6] Dhawan K, et al, Antiasthmatic activity of
the methanol extract of leaves of Passiflora incarnata. Phytother Res. 2003 Aug;17(7):821-2.
[7] Dhawan K, et al, Nicotine reversal effects of the benzoflavone moiety from Passiflora
incarnata Linneaus in mice. Addict Biol. 2002 Oct;7(4):435-41. [8] Dhawan K, et al,
Prevention of chronic alcohol and nicotine-induced azospermia, sterility and decreased
libido, by a novel tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety from Passiflora incarnata Linneaus in
healthy male rats. Life Sci. 2002 Nov 15;71(26):3059-69. [9] Dhawan K, et al, Anxiolytic
activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata. Fitoterapia. 2001
Dec;72(8):922-6. [10] Dhawan K, et al, Suppression of alcohol-cessation-oriented
hyper-anxiety by the benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus in mice. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):239-44. [11] Dhawan K, et al, Reversal of cannabinoids
(delta9-THC) by the benzoflavone moiety from methanol extract of Passiflora incarnata
Linneaus in mice: a possible therapy for cannabinoid addiction. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002
Jun;54(6):875-81.
incarnata L.) 2007
The aerial parts of Passion Flower have been believed to
benefit various conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and
gastrointestinal disturbance. Passion Flower is generally
considered to be a safe herb with limited side effects.
However, adverse events have been reported in the past.
Passion Flower may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding
and liver damage. Users should avoid using Passion Flower
together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, hypnotics,
blood-thinning agents, and tyramine/tryptophan.
What are the active ingredients of Passion-flower?
Passiflora incarnata L. has isovitexin as one of the major flavonoids.
The highest concentration of isovitexin occurs between pre-flowering
and flowering stages. Passiflora incarnata has four major C-glycosidic
flavonoids and they are schaftoside, isoschaftoside,
isovetexin-2''-O-glucopyranoside and
isoorientin-2''-O-glucopyranoside. [2] Its leaves contain the largest
accumulation of flavonids. [1]
What are the potent health benefits of Passion-flower?
Researchers from Universite de Metz, France, demonstrated the
anxiolytic and sedative effects of extracts of the aerial parts of
Passiflora incarnata L. (Passion-flower) and its indole alkaloids and
flavonoids in a study of mice. [3] Some other also showed similar
effects of passion flower extract on anxiety in animals. [9,10]
A tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety (BZF) recently isolated from the
methanol extract of aerial parts of the plant Passiflora incarnata
Linneaus had exhibited encouraging results in countering the
dependence produced by addiction-prone substances like morphine,
nicotine, cannabinoids and ethyl alcohol, during the studies performed
by the researchers. [5,11]
Researchers from Panjab University, India suggested the potential
benefits of the passion flower on asthma. They treated acetylcholine
chloride (Ach)-induced-bronchospasm in guinea-pigs with passion
flower extracts at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg. After 7-day
treatment regimen, they noted a significant prevention of
dyspnoea-related-convulsions in animals. [6]
Researchers from Panjab University, India, suggest that a
benzoflavone moiety (BZF) extracted from passion flower may have
value in treating nicotine addiction. Those mice treated with the two
highest doses of BZF,in combination with nicotine showed significantly
fewer nicotine-abstinence withdrawal jumps and normal ambulatory
behavior. BZF treatment also prevented weight loss and resulted in
normal performance in a swimming endurance test, which may be a
measure of stress and/or depression. Similarly, acute administration
of a single 20 mg/kg dose of BZF prevented some of the
nicotine-withdrawal effects; lower doses were almost inert. [7]
Excessive long term consumption of alcohol and nicotine have serious
detrimental effects upon the libido, fertility, and sperm count in male
species. In an animal study, Indian researchers found that BZF
speeds up the restoration of sexuality in rats upon cessation of the
administration of substances like alcohol, nicotine and alcohol-nicotine
combinations, which have severe detrimental effects upon male
sexuality, fertility and vigour. BZF, the strongest inhibitor of aromatase
enzyme, when administered concurrently with substances like alcohol
and nicotine restores sexual virility, libido and vigour in male rats by
maintaining the blood-testosterone levels to be high. [8]
What are the potent side effects of Passion-flower?
Low dose of passion flower is probably safe. A 34-year-old female
developed severe nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, prolonged QTc, and
episodes of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia following
self-administration of a herbal remedy, Passiflora incarnata L., at
therapeutic doses. [4]
This article is for your reference only. Most supports for the health claims are from animal
studies; human studies are needed for the claims. Consult with your doctor for any
questions or before using any supplement. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2006.
[1] Menghini A, Mancini LA. TLC determination of flavonoid accumulation in clonal
populations of Passiflora incarnata L. Pharmacol Res Commun. 1988 Dec;20 Suppl 5:113-6.
[2] Li QM, et al, Mass spectral characterization of C-glycosidic flavonoids isolated from a
medicinal plant (Passiflora incarnata). J Chromatogr. 1991 Jan 2;562(1-2):435-46. [3]
Soulimani R, et la, Behavioural effects of Passiflora incarnata L. and its indole alkaloid and
flavonoid derivatives and maltol in the mouse. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Jun;57(1):11-20. [4]
Fisher AA, et al, Toxicity of Passiflora incarnata L. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2000;38(1):63-6. [5]
Dhawan K, et al, Attenuation of benzodiazepine dependence in mice by a tri-substituted
benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus: a non-habit forming anxiolytic. J
Pharm Pharm Sci. 2003 May-Aug;6(2):215-22. [6] Dhawan K, et al, Antiasthmatic activity of
the methanol extract of leaves of Passiflora incarnata. Phytother Res. 2003 Aug;17(7):821-2.
[7] Dhawan K, et al, Nicotine reversal effects of the benzoflavone moiety from Passiflora
incarnata Linneaus in mice. Addict Biol. 2002 Oct;7(4):435-41. [8] Dhawan K, et al,
Prevention of chronic alcohol and nicotine-induced azospermia, sterility and decreased
libido, by a novel tri-substituted benzoflavone moiety from Passiflora incarnata Linneaus in
healthy male rats. Life Sci. 2002 Nov 15;71(26):3059-69. [9] Dhawan K, et al, Anxiolytic
activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata. Fitoterapia. 2001
Dec;72(8):922-6. [10] Dhawan K, et al, Suppression of alcohol-cessation-oriented
hyper-anxiety by the benzoflavone moiety of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus in mice. J
Ethnopharmacol. 2002 Jul;81(2):239-44. [11] Dhawan K, et al, Reversal of cannabinoids
(delta9-THC) by the benzoflavone moiety from methanol extract of Passiflora incarnata
Linneaus in mice: a possible therapy for cannabinoid addiction. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2002
Jun;54(6):875-81.
