Abstract

Passiflora incarnata is a medicinal herb that belongs to the family Passifloraceae,which has been used traditionally for neurological disorders. The plant consists of phytochemicals which includes flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides. From these phytochemicals, C-glycosyl flavonoids particularly vitexinand isovitexin are recognized as key contributors to the regulation of neuronal processes. Laboratory, preclinical and early clinical investigations indicatethat Passiflora incarnata exhibits its therapeutic effects mainly by influencing GABAergic neurotransmission, which supports anxiety-reducing, sedationinducing and neuronal protective effects. The plant has been reported to show medicinal potential as a supportive therapeutic option for disorders such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, depression, epilepsy and post-traumatic stress disorder, while maintaining a acceptable safety and tolerability. Moreover, its antioxidant activity may support neuronal protection by reducing oxidative stress and preserving cellular homoeostasis, suggesting potential importance in neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The presence of diverse phytochemicals in the plant suggests that the plant’s pharmacological effects arise from combined activity rather than depending on a single bioactive compound. Passiflora incarnata serves as potential plant-based candidate with therapeutic benefits in neurological disorders, highlighting the need for further mechanistic studies, clinical studies and standardized phytochemicals analysis to support therapeutic use

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