Importance of Herba Passiflorae in Medicinal Applications: Review on Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology

Abstract

The dried aerial parts of Passiflora incarnate L. plant are called Herba Passiflorae. This plant belongs to the Passifloraceae family. This review aims to focus on the importance of Herba Passiflorae in medicinal applications with special reference to its experimental and clinical pharmacology. Herba Passiflorae possesses flavonoids and alkaloids ingredients. The major constituents of Herba Passiflorae are flavonoids such as vicenin-2, orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin. Herba Passiflorae is applied for the cure of dysmenorrhoea, neuralgia, and nervous tachycardia. It is a slight sedative for nervous restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. The fruit of Herba Passiflorae is used for jams, jellies, and desserts. The juice is a favorite flavoring in drinks. The pharmacology effect of Herba Passiflorae includes experimental and clinical pharmacology. Experimental pharmacology includes analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, central nervous system depressant, and uterine stimulant effects. Clinical pharmacology includes anxiolytic, analgesic, and sedative effects, as well as its effect on nausea, menopause, dysmenorrhea, and diabetes. Herba Passiflorae stimulates uterine contractions, so it is used during pregnancy. The water extract of Herba Passiflorae is not genotoxic. The passion fruit is more appropriate for children's use due to the incorporation of Lactobacillus casei in passion fruit. The daily oral intake of passion fruit at public doses is non-toxic and safe. The daily dose in adults as a sedative is 0.5-2 g of aerial parts 3-4 times. In conclusion, Herba Passiflorae has analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, central nervous system depressant, uterine stimulant, anxiolytic, analgesic, and sedative effects, as well as, its effect on nausea, menopause, dysmenorrhea, and diabetes.