P. edulis var. keri (Spreng.) Mast. = P. incarnata; P. incarnata Ker Gawl. = P. edulis Studies generally consider P. incarnata and P. edulis as two separate species, but this is sometimes disputed. They have different distributions and are distinguishable phytochemically, with the former usually considered the ‘medicinal’ species and the latter the source of the cultivated passionfruit (although both are used medicinally). Published studies usually refer to P. incarnata but may not chemically characterise the plant enough for authentication. Passifloraceae Apricot vine; grenadille; maypop; passiflora; passion vine Passiflorae herba Dried aerial parts The active constituents include the flavonoids apigenin and its C-glycosides (vitexin, isovitexin, schaftoside); chrysin, luteolin (and its C-glycosides orientin and iso-orientin), quercetin and kaempferol. β-carboline alkaloids (which are MAO inhibitors), including harman, harmol, harmine, harmalol and harmaline may be present as minor constituents, but are not always detectable. Other constituents include a cyanogenic glycoside gynocardin; maltol and ethylmaltol; a polyacetylene, passicol; and essential oil containing carvone, hexanol, benzylalcohol, linalool, eugenol and α-bergamolol (Pharmaceutical Press Editorial Team 2013; Williamson et al. 2013). Analysis of P. incarnata samples cultivated in Australia demonstrated two distinct chemotypes—one characterised by isovitexin and schaftoside/isoschaftoside, the other by a high level of swertisin and low levels of schaftoside/isoschaftoside (Wohlmuth et al. 2010). Most clinical studies investigating passionflower have investigated proprietary products, some of which are polyherbal preparations. A Cochrane review identified two trials (n = 198) investigating the effectiveness of ‘passiflora’ (species not identified) for treating anxiety. The findings from one study indicated that passiflora was as effective as benzodiazepines. One study suggested an improvement in job performance (post-hoc outcome), and one found a lower rate of drowsiness compared with mexazolam, but neither of these findings were statistically significant. However, no conclusion could be drawn as to the effectiveness of passiflora due to the limited number of randomised controlled trials available (Myasaka et al. 2007). In two subsequent, randomised controlled trials, patients (n = 60 in both) were administered P. incarnata
Passionflower
Passiflora incarnata L.; P. edulis Sims
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