Anxiolytic activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata.
The petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water extracts of Passiflora incarnata whole plant and sorted out plant parts have been evaluated for their anxiolytic activity using the elevated plus-maze model in mice. The methanol extracts of leaves, stems, flowers, and whole plant exhibited anxiolytic effects at 100, 125, 200 and 300 mg/kg, respectively. The roots were practically devoid of anxiolytic effects. These results show that roots and flowers of P. incarnata act as natural adulterants by causing a significant increase in the anxiolytic dose. Therefore, separation of these parts is recommended prior to any pharmacological, phytochemical and standardization studies on P. incarnata.
Dhawan
K
K
Pharmacognosy Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India. kdd@glide.net.in
Kumar
S
S
Sharma
A
A
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D029598:Passiflora; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018514:Plant Structures; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts