Planta Med 1988; 54(6): 488-491
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-962525
Papers

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Neuropharmacological Activity of Extracts from Passiflora incarnata

E. Speroni1 , A. Minghetti2
  • 1Instituto di Farmacologia, Via Irnerio, 48, Facoltá di Farmacia, Universitá di Bologna, I-40126 Bologna, Italy.
  • 2Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Via Belmeloro, 6, Facoltá di Farmacia, Universitá di Bologna, I-40126 Bologna, Italy.
Further Information

Publication History

1988

Publication Date:
24 January 2007 (online)

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.