Distribution of photoactive ß-carboline alkaloids across Passiflora caerulea floral organs.

This study reports valuable information regarding the presence and concentration of a series of photoactive ß-carboline (ßCs) alkaloids (norharmane, harmane, harmine, harmol, harmaline, and harmalol) and their distribution across the floral age and organs of Passiflora caerulea. UHPLC-MS/MS data reported herein reveal that the ßCs' content ranged from 1 to 110 µg kg-1 , depending on the floral organ and age. In certain physiologically relevant organs, such as anthers, ßCs' content was one order of magnitude higher than in other organs, suggesting a special role for ßCs in this specific organ. ßCs' content also varied in a structure-dependent manner. Alkaloids bearing a hydroxyl group at position C(7) of the main ßC ring were present at concentrations one order of magnitude higher than other ßC derivatives investigated. UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy of the flower extracts provided complementary information regarding other biologically relevant groups of chromophores (phenolic/indolic derivatives, flavonoids/carotenes, and chlorophylls). Since flowers are constantly exposed to solar radiation, the presence of photoactive ßCs in floral organs may have several (photo)biological implications that are further discussed.

Spectral characteristics of the flavones and anthocyanins present in passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).

Rich in antioxidants with a variety of flavones and anthocyanins, passionflower/fruit has been extensively used in food, beverage, medicinal, and natural dyes industries. The individual components present in passionflower are identified by extracting them in methanol, partitioning them between ethyl acetate and aqueous layers, and recording their ESI mass spectrometric data. The steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra of the extract in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide are recorded and the lifetime of the fluorescing species is reported. The pH dependence of the absorption spectrum confirms the presence of the anthocyanins.

Nip it in the Bud: Botanicals for Anxiety - a Practical Prescriber's Guide.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The goal of this paper is to summarize the evidence for the use of botanical medicines for the treatment of anxiety disorders. We sought to make this review practical for psychiatrists and psychiatric prescribers. RECENT FINDINGS: In 2018, the Natural Medicines database produced a Clinical Management of Anxiety guide that summarized the conventional and natural treatments of anxiety disorders. Based on this guide, four herbal supplements (also referred to as botanicals) were selected for deeper study including kava, lavender, lemon balm and passionflower. All four were considered possibly safe and possibly effective according to the Natural Medicines database. There is scientific evidence supporting the use of kava, lavender, lemon balm and passionflower in anxiety disorders. Lavender appears to have the best available evidence including comparable efficacy to conventional first line treatments and is available in a patented form that was used in the cited studies (Silexan).

The chronic effects of a combination of herbal extracts (Euphytose®) on psychological mood state and response to a laboratory stressor: A randomised, placebo-controlled, double blind study in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND: Global lifetime prevalence of anxiety disorders has been estimated at approximately 16.6%, with subclinical prevalence likely much higher. Herbal approaches to reduce anxiety may be as effective as pharmacological treatments and are less likely to be associated with adverse side effects. The herbal species, namely, valerian, passionflower, hawthorn and ballota, have a long history of use as anxiolytics in traditional medicine, further supported by recent pre-clinical and clinical trials. AIMS: To assess the effects of chronic (14 days) supplementation with a multi-herb extract preparation (MHEP, Euphytose®) on psychological state and psychological and physiological stress responses during a laboratory stressor. METHODS: In this crossover study, 31 healthy participants (aged 19-58 years) received a MHEP and placebo for 14 days with a 28-day washout. Anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), mood and physiological measures of stress (heart rate, galvanic skin response, salivary α-amylase and cortisol levels) were measured before and after an Observed Multitasking Stressor. Cognitive performance was also assessed. RESULTS: MHEP was associated with reduced tension-anxiety (p = 0.038), with participants showing an attenuated response to the observed multitasking psychosocial stressor following MHEP, evidenced by lower salivary α-amylase (p = 0.041) and galvanic skin response (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of herbal extracts contained within the MHEP reduced subjective anxiety in a healthy population and lowered electrodermal skin conductance and concentration of salivary α-amylase in response to a psychosocial stressor, compared to placebo. The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT03909906).

Behavioral Pharmacology of Five Uncommon Passiflora Species Indicates Sedative and Anxiolytic-like Potential.

BACKGROUND: There are over 500 species in the Passiflora genus, and while some of them are very well known in folk medicine for their anxiolytic effects, very little is known for the other genus representants, which could also present medicinal effects. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we performed an interspecific pharmacological comparison of five investigated Passiflora species, all native to Brazil, namely P. bahiensis, P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, P. sidaefolia, and P. vitifolia. METHODS: Extracts were administered to mice before behavioral testing, including a general pharmacological screening and anxiolytic-like effect investigation. RESULTS: Three of the species (P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia) induced a decrease in locomotor activity of mice; P. coccinea also reduced the latency to sleep. Importantly, none of the species interfered with motor coordination. Oral administration evoked no severe signs of toxicity, even at higher doses. Regarding the anxiolytic-like profile, P. sidaefolia reduced the anxious-like behavior in the Holeboard test in a similar way to the positive control, Passiflora incarnata, while not affecting total motricity. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia reduced the general activity of mice and conferred a calmative/sedative potential to these three species, which must be further elucidated by future investigations.

Use of Plant-Derived Natural Products in Sleep Disturbances.

Sleep disorders have a high prevalence both in the general population and especially in specific populations such older adults and oncologic patients. Impacting on quality of life, they often translate in drug prescription, with consequent increased risk of drug-drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. In the last years several products derived from plants have been developed with the aim of treating insomnia with lower risk of side effects. Despite several studies have been performed with this aim, the available evidence is inconclusive, and reviews summarizing the most recent evidences on the effectiveness of plant-derived products in treating insomnia are lacking.This narrative review aims at summarizing the evidences of the mechanism of action, effectiveness and safety of the most commonly used plant-derived products for the treatment of sleep disorders (Valerian, Lemon balm, Passionflower, Chamomile, Hops, and Jujube).

Cost-Effectiveness of Passion Fruit Albedo versus Turmeric in the Glycemic and Lipaemic Control of People with Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Robust evidence has related yellow passion fruit albedo and long turmeric to the metabolic and glycemic control of diabetes. AIM: To analyze the incremental cost-effectiveness of the flour made from yellow passion fruit albedo versus long turmeric merged with piperine in the glycemic and lipid control of individuals with type 2 diabetes. METHOD: Eighty-nine patients were enrolled in this randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial for 120 days. The first group was prescribed 500 mg capsules, three times a day, of yellow passion fruit albedo flour (FAMA). The second group was prescribed long turmeric capsules (500 mg), merged with piperine (5 mg) (CURPI), at fasting. The third group followed the standard advice recommendations, and ingested a placebo of carboxymethyl cellulose (500 mg) at fasting. RESULTS: The group using FAMA showed a higher reduction (-5.9%) of glycemia after fasting, compared to placebo (+9%), and CURPI (-3.2%) (p < 0.05). Regarding HbA1c, the study observed a significant and similar statistical reduction (-0.8%) in the intervention groups, in contrast with the placebo group (p < 0.05). The reduction in HOMA-IR in the CURPI group (-9.4%) was higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). The CURPI group also showed a higher reduction of serum triglyceride levels (-20.8%) compared to the placebo (-0.09%) and FAMA (+1.8%) (p < 0.05) groups. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that turmeric is the most cost-effective in comparison with yellow passion fruit albedo, because of its decrease in the levels of triglycerides and HOMA-IR, even when adjusted for confounding variables. On the other hand, HbA1c cost-effectiveness relation was similar.

Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. from Brazil, a new gregarious microgastrine parasitoid wasp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) reared from Hypercompe cunigunda (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Brazil

Abstract A new species of Diolcogaster (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is described and illustrated. Additionally, its position within the recently published key to New World species of the xanthaspis species-group (to which the described Diolcogaster belongs) is provided. The gregarious larval parasitoid Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. was collected in Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil. This natural enemy was recovered from a caterpillar of Hypercompe cunigunda (Stoll, 1781) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) that was feeding on plant of passionflower, Passiflora edulis Sims (Passifloraceae). The fauna of the xanthaspis group in the New World now includes five species, including the new species from Brazil described in this paper. Diolcogaster choi sp. nov. differs anatomically, and is morphologically diagnosed, from all other known member of the xanthaspis group of the genus Diolcogaster, to which it belongs. The species also differs in recorded host, and its DNA barcode appears to be distinctive among described Diolcogaster.

Passiflora incarnata L. Improves Spatial Memory, Reduces Stress, and Affects Neurotransmission in Rats.

Passiflora incarnata L. has been used as a medicinal plant in South America and Europe since the 16th century. Previous pharmacological studies focused mainly on the plant's sedative, anxiolytic, and anticonvulsant effects on the central nervous system and its supporting role in the treatment of addiction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavioral and neurochemical effects of long-term oral administration of P. incarnata. The passionflower extract (30, 100, or 300 mg/kg body weight/day) was given to 4-week-old male Wistar rats via their drinking water. Tests were conducted after 7 weeks of treatment. Spatial memory was assessed in a water maze, and the levels of amino acids, monoamines, and their metabolites were evaluated in select brain regions by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We observed reduced anxiety and dose-dependent improvement of memory in rats given passionflower compared to the control group. In addition, hippocampal glutamic acid and cortical serotonin content were depleted, with increased levels of metabolites and increased turnover. Thus, our results partially confirmed the proposed mechanism of action of P. incarnata involving GABAA receptors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Avaliação física, físico-química e estimativas de parâmetros genéticos de 32 genótipos de maracujazeiro-azedo cultivados no Distrito Federal / Physical assessment, and physical chemistry and estimates of genetic parameters 32 genotypes passionfruit sour cultivated in federal district

Dentro do programa de melhoramento de maracujazeiro, a avaliação física, físico-química e molecular dos frutos dos genótipos desenvolvidos é de grande importância, pois permite identificar genótipos com qualidades físico-químicas desejáveis e adaptados para as regiões de cultivo. Sendo assim, objetivou-se avaliar com o presente trabalho as características físicas, físico-químicas, e estimar os parâmetros genéticos de 32 (trinta e dois) genótipos de maracujazeiro-azedo resistente a patógenos cultivados no Distrito Federal. As seguintes características foram analisadas: massa do fruto (g), comprimento (mm), diâmetro (mm), relação comprimento/diâmetro, espessura da casca (mm), massa da casca (g), massa da polpa (g), rendimento de polpa (%), número de sementes, sólidos solúveis totais - SST em °Brix, acidez total titulável - ATT (% de ácido cítrico), pH, relação SST/ATT e cinzas (%). As análises estatísticas e estimativas de parâmetros genéticos foram realizadas com o auxílio dos softwares SISVAR (FERREIRA, 2000) e GENES (CRUZ, 2007). Cerca de 38% dos genótipos avaliados apresentaram características físicas e físico-químicas que se destacaram para utilização destes pela indústria de sucos: pH de 2,7, acidez variando de 5,40 a 3,8 e sólidos solúveis totais de 13,7%. Com relação às características físicas os genótipos que se destacaram foram: 20#49, MSC e planta 7 apresentaram maior comprimento e diâmetro dos frutos. O rendimento de polpa foi superior a 38,7% e os genótipos que se destacaram para essa característica foram: EC-R (46,6%), 20#6 (45,1%), 20#39 (43,6%) e 20#40 (43,4%) sendo que EC-R e 20#6 também apresentaram maior número de sementes por fruto. A massa média dos frutos variou de 226,85 a 128,75g, sendo os maiores valores registrados para os genótipos Planta 7 e EC30. Pela análise dos coeficientes de herdabilidade no sentido amplo ficou evidenciada variância ambiental pronunciada para as características avaliadas.

Within the breeding program of passion, physical assessment, physical chemistry and molecular fruits of genotypes developed is of great importance, since it identifies genotypes with desirable physico-chemical and adapted to the growing regions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the present work the physical, physico-chemical and genetic parameters of 32 (thirty-two) of passion fruit genotypes resistant pathogens grown in the Federal District. The following characteristics were analyzed: fruit mass (g), length (mm) diameter (mm), length / diameter ratio, shell thickness (mm), shell mass (g), pulp mass (g), yield pulp (%), number of seeds, total soluble solids - SST in ° Brix, titratable acidity - ATT (% citric acid), pH, TSS / TA and ash (%). Statistical analyzes and estimates of genetic parameters were performed with the aid of software SISVAR (FERREIRA, 2000) and GENES (CRUZ, 2007). About 38% of the genotypes showed physical and physical-chemical that stood out for use by the industry these juices: pH of 2.7, acidity ranging from 5.40 to 3.8 and total soluble solids of 13.7%. With respect to the physical characteristics of the genotypes that stood out were: 20 # 49, MSC and 7 plant had higher length and diameter. The pulp yield was greater than 38.7% and genotypes that were outstanding for this feature: EC-R (46.6%), 20 # 6 (45.1%) 20 # 39 (43,6% ) # 40 and 20 (43.4%) whereas EC-R and # 20 6 showed a higher number of seeds per fruit. The average fruit weight ranged from 226.85 to 128.75 g, with the highest values recorded for genotypes Plant 7 and EC30. By analyzing the coefficients of broad-sense heritability was evident environmental variance pronounced for traits.

Progress in micropropagation of Passiflora spp. to produce medicinal plants: a mini-review

Micropropagation of Passiflora species and its hybrids may play an important role in the production of healthy and disease-free plants which can be a source of medicinal herbal products, nutritional fruits and ornamental flowers. The rapid multiplication of elite plants to obtain pharmacognostic material, containing valuable flavonoid C-glycosides, is possible by usingcontrolled in vitro conditions, constituents of the medium and the interactions of plant growth regulators (1-naphtaleneacetic acid, benzyladenine, gibberellin GA3,kinetin, indole-3-acetyl-L-aspartic acid, indole-3-butyric acid, thidiazuron) and influencing various chemical additives (silver nitrate, coconut water, activated charcoal). Investigations of specific requirements during stages of micropropagation, such as the establishment of primary cultures (including type of explants, age of donor plant), shoot multiplication (by direct and indirect organogenesis and embryogenesis), rooting and acclimatization of regenerated plants are summarized in this review. The following species were recently studied for micropropagation: P. alata, P. caerulea, P. cincinnata, P. edulis, P. foetida, P. setacea, P. suberosa. It seems that for awide range of applications of in vitro clones of Passiflora, interdisciplinary studies including genetic and phytochemical aspects are needed.