A Passiflora incarnata extract exerts multi-target effects on selected sleep-related receptors
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22415560 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Kurt Appel (0000-0003-2040-6094, Ciência Viva), Ilona Schwarzensteiner (Cesra (Germany)), Christian Zimmermann (0000-0002-6398-1411, Cesra (Germany), corresponding author), Carsten Tober (0000-0002-4836-4685, Reutlingen University), Nils Günnewich (0000-0002-4343-9668, Cesra (Germany)) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 372 |
| Pages | 122198 |
| Publication date | 2026-07-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Ethnopharmacology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0378-8741 • E-ISSN: 1872-7573 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.jep.2026.122198 |
| PMID | 42462921 |
| OpenAlex | W7168805850 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
Ethnopharmacological relevance Since ancient times, passionflower ( Passiflora incarnata L. ) is used to treat insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, and other neurological conditions, but the understanding of the underlying neurophysiological processes is largely limited to the involvement of the GABAergic system. Aim of the study This work aims to elucidate the mechanism by which P . incarnata modulates selected sleep-promoting receptors and neurotransmitter pathways in the central nervous system. Materials and methods We studied the effects of a standardized P. incarnata extract on selected sleep-promoting receptors and neurotransmitters using competitive binding and uptake assays in vitro . Results The P . incarnata extract inhibited the binding of [ 3 H]-DPCPX to the adenosine A 1 , [ 125 I]-ZM 241385 to the adenosine A 2A , and [ 125 I]-LSD to the serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor, in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the melatonin MT 1 - and orexin OX 1 - receptors were unaffected. The extract also inhibited [ 3 H]-dopamine, [ 3 H]-norepinephrine, and [ 3 H]-serotonin uptake into rat cortical synaptosomes. Conclusion Hitherto undetermined active components of the P . incarnata extract inhibit monoamine uptake and show affinity to the adenosine A 1 and A 2A and the 5-HT 2A serotonin receptor. The results of this exploratory study support the longstanding use of P. incarnata to promote sleep.
5-HT receptor · Adenosine · Adenosine receptor · GABAergic · Monoamine neurotransmitter · Neurotransmitter · Receptor · Serotonin · Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques · Medicinal Plant Extracts Effects · Sleep and Wakefulness Research
| Highly cited | No |
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