Neuropharmacological Activity of Extracts from Passiflora incarnata

Abstract

A fluid extract of Passiflora incarnata L. was studied for its neuropharmacological properties. This extract, orally and intraperitoneally administered to rats, raised the nociceptive threshold in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests, but not in the vocalization test. On intraperitoneal injection, the extract significantly prolonged sleeping time, protected animals from the convulsive effect of pentylenetetrazole, and affected locomotor activity. The fluid extract was partitioned by solvents and chromatography and at least two products, one lipophilic (A) and one hydrophilic (B), were found to be active. They could not be ascribed to either alkaloids or the flavonoid structures present in the extract.