title: Anxiolytic activity of a phytochemically characterized Passiflora incarnata extract is mediated via the GABAergic system.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to assess the anxiolytic properties of a phytochemically characterized commercial extract from Passiflora incarnata (PI; Passifloraceae) in the elevated plus maze test in mice. Using an HPLC method, the flavonoids homoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin were identified as major compounds. Following oral administration, the extract exerted an anxiolytic effect that was comparable to diazepam (1.5 mg/kg) at a dose of 375 mg/kg and exhibited a U-shaped dose-response curve. In addition, antagonism studies using the GABA (A)/benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil and the 5-HT (1A)-receptor antagonist WAY-100 635 were conducted. The active dose was effectively antagonized by flumazenil, but not by WAY-100 635. This study is the first demonstration of the IN VIVO, GABA-mediated anxiolytic activity of an HPLC- characterized extract of Passiflora incarnata.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Florida, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grundmann
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gerard P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: McGregor
authors.forename: Veronika
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Butterweck
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002065:Buspirone / Q000494:pharmacology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003975:Diazepam / Q000494:pharmacology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D029598:Passiflora; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010879:Piperazines; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011725:Pyridines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D018757:GABA Modulators; D058787:GABA-A Receptor Antagonists; D010879:Piperazines; D010936:Plant Extracts; D011725:Pyridines; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D005442:Flumazenil; C090413:N-(2-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl)ethyl)-N-(2-pyridinyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide; D003975:Diazepam; D002065:Buspirone