Passiflorae herba - new results for the definition of the pharmaceutical quality in future

Abstract: More recent results of scientific investigations demand the revision of some traditional doctrines concerning Passiflorae herba from Passiflora incarnata as plant source. The harman-alkaloids definitively cannot be looked at as potential active constituents, as these compounds can not be detected in the commercial plant material (detection limit 0.1 ppm). The composition of the flavonoids is relatively homogeneous in quality, while fingerprint analysis reveals considerable differences. Exclusively the C-Glycosylflavones are of pharmaceutical significance. Increased possibilities of analysis by means of RP-HPLC are presented and discussed in this review. The following compounds are relevant for the drug: vicenin-2, isoorientin-2-O-glucoside, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, isoorientin, isovitexin-2"-O-glucoside, isovitexin, swertisin. Orlentin and vitexin in general are present in very low concentrations. Saponarin, which is mentioned in the literature is missing and has been probably erroneously identified by paper chromatography instead of isovitexin-2"-Oglucoside. Extracts from passiflora herb are stable in dried condition, in aqueous solution some transformations of the C-Glycosylflavones have been observed. The complete analysis of an aqueous extract did not result in the identification of new potential effective constituents.

Keyword(s): Passiflora incarnata L.

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