In Vivo Antidepressant Effect of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa into Cationic Nanoparticles: Improving Bioactivity and Safety

Chemical Compositions, Pharmacological Properties and Medicinal Effects of Genus Passiflora L.: A Review

Practically all aboveground plants parts of Passiflora vines can be included in the compositions of dietary supplements, medicines, and cosmetics. It has a diverse chemical composition and a wide range of biologically active components that determine its diverse pharmacological properties. Studies related to the chemical composition of the plant are summarized here, and attention has been paid to various medical applications-(1) anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective; (2) anti-depressant; (3) antidiabetic; (4) hepatoprotective; (5) antibacterial and antifungal; and (6) antipyretic and other. This review includes studies on the safety, synergistic effects, and toxicity that may occur with the use of various dietary supplements based on it. Attention has been drawn to its application in cosmetics and to patented products containing passionflower.

Formulation and optimization of polymeric nanoparticles loaded with riolozatrione: a promising nanoformulation with potential antiherpetic activity

Riolozatrione (RZ) is a diterpenoid compound isolated from a dichloromethane extract of the Jatropha dioica root. This compound has been shown to possess moderate antiherpetic activity in vitro. However, because of the poor solubility of this compound in aqueous vehicles, generating a stable formulation for potential use in the treatment of infection is challenging. The aim of this work was to optimize and physio-chemically characterize Eudragit® L100-55-based polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with RZ (NPR) for in vitro antiherpetic application. The NPs formulation was initially optimized using the dichloromethane extract of J. dioica, the major component of which was RZ. The optimized NPR formulation was stable, with a size of 263 nm, polydispersity index < 0.2, the zeta potential of -37 mV, and RZ encapsulation efficiency of 89 %. The NPR showed sustained release of RZ for 48 h with release percentages of 95 and 97 % at neutral and slightly acidic pH, respectively. Regarding in vitro antiherpetic activity, the optimized NPR showed a selectivity index for HSV-1 of ≈16 and for HSV-2 of 13.

Bio-inspired glycosylated nano-hydroxyapatites enhance endogenous bone regeneration by modulating macrophage M2 polarization

A macrophage-associated immune response is vital in bone regeneration. Mannose receptor (MR), a macrophage pattern-recognition receptor, is crucial for the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Here, we designed MR-targeted glycosylated nano-hydroxyapatites (GHANPs) to reprogram macrophages into polarized M2s, promoting bone regeneration by improving the osteoimmune microenvironment. The prepared GHANPs induced macrophage M2 polarization, which then promoted osteoblastic differentiation of stem cells. Further, the mechanistic study showed that GHANPs might influence macrophage polarization by modulating cell metabolism, including enhancing mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and activating autophagy. Finally, a rat cranial defect model was used to verify the effect of GHANPs on endogenous bone regeneration in vivo, revealing that GHANPs promoted bone regeneration within the defect and increased the ratio of M2/M1 macrophages in early bone repair. Our results indicate that the MR-targeted macrophage M2 polarization strategy is promising in endogenous bone regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Macrophage is a pivotal immunity component for bone regeneration. A switch to M2 macrophage has been considered to contribute to osteogenesis. For inducing macrophage M2 polarization, an effective strategy to overcome off-target effects and insufficient specificity is a critical challenge. The mannose receptor on the surface of macrophages has been involved in regulating macrophage directional polarization. The glucomannan presented on the nano-hydroxyapatite rods acts as ligands targeting macrophage mannose receptors to promote their M2 polarization, improving the immunomicroenvironment and achieving bone regeneration. This approach has the advantage of easy preparation, specific regulation, and safety.

1H NMR-based metabolic profile and chemometric analysis for the discrimination of Passiflora species genotypic variations

The species of the genus Passiflora (Passifloraceae family) have been used as food, cosmetic and traditional herbal. As a result, the Passiflora species are widely cultivated and has an economic, medicinal and ornamental importance. The popular designation as "passion fruit" and chemical profile of several Passiflora species remains unknown. The lack of chemical information contributes to the erroneous classification and adulteration. In recent years, special attention has been paid to the bioactivity and phytochemical profiles of several Passiflora species extracts. In this research, ¹H NMR-based metabolic profiling coupled with chemometric tools was used to characterize and distinguish extracts obtained from different wild Passiflora species (P. alata, P. cincinnata, and P. setacea) and genetic varieties (P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte, and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado). Fourteen metabolites were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, highlighting the presence of fatty acids, carbohydrates, saponins, alkaloids, and mainly C-glycosidic flavones. Principal components analysis (PCA) allowed discrimination of Passiflora extracts, which the quadranguloside, oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside, α-glucose, β-glucose, and vitexin-2-O"-rhamnoside were relevant in the differentiation of P. alata and P. alata var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, while the flavones isovitexin and isovitexin-2-O"-xyloside were dominant in the grouping of P. setacea and P. setacea var. BRS Pérola do Cerrado, and finally P. cincinnata and P. cincinnata var. BRS Sertão Forte grouped by the influence of the fatty acids, sucrose, flavones (isoorientin and vitexin-2-O"-xyloside), and trigonelline. The varieties of P. setacea, and P. cincinnata are chemically equivalent to the original Passiflora species. However, the PCA analysis showed that the genetic variety of P. alata occupied a different position in the scores plot provoked mainly by the presence of oleanolic acid-3-sophoroside. The ¹H NMR metabolic profile can be efficient for quality control evaluation, and can contribute to the investigation of new alternatives for official Passiflora herbal medicines.

Current Knowledge of the Antidepressant Activity of Chemical Compounds from Crocus sativus L

Psychotropic effect of Crocus sativus L. (family Iridaceae) biologically active chemical compounds are quite well documented and they can therefore be used in addition to the conventional pharmacological treatment of depression. This systematic review on antidepressant compounds in saffron crocus and their mechanisms of action and side effects is based on publications released between 1995−2022 and data indexed in 15 databases under the following search terms: antidepressant effect, central nervous system, Crocus sativus, cognitive impairement, crocin, crocetin, depression, dopamine, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems, picrocrocin, phytotherapy, neurotransmitters, safranal, saffron, serotonin, and biologically active compounds. The comparative analysis of the publications was based on 414 original research papers. The investigated literature indicates the effectiveness and safety of aqueous and alcoholic extracts and biologically active chemical compounds (alkaloids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoid, phenolic, saponins, and terpenoids) isolated from various organs (corms, leaves, flower petal, and stigmas) in adjuvant treatment of depression and anxiety. Monoamine reuptake inhibition, N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-α agonism are the main proposed mechanism of the antidepressant action. The antidepressant and neuroprotective effect of extract components is associated with their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. The mechanism of their action, interactions with conventional drugs and other herbal preparations and the safety of use are not fully understood; therefore, further detailed research in this field is necessary. The presented results regarding the application of C. sativus in phytotherapy are promising in terms of the use of herbal preparations to support the treatment of depression. This is particularly important given the steady increase in the incidence of this disease worldwide and social effects.

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 little investigated Passiflora species, all native to Brazil: P. bahiensis, P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, P. sidaefolia, and P. vitifolia.

METHOD

Extracts were administered to mice before behavioral testing, which included 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 indicate that P. coccinea, P. quadrangularis, and P. sidaefolia reduced the general activity of mice and confer a calmative/sedative potential to these three species, which must be further elucidated by future investigations.

Constituent Characteristics and Functional Properties of Passion Fruit Seed Extract

The genus Passiflora L. is widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The major species, Passiflora edulis Sims, is known as 'passion fruit' and is widely used in processed foods as well as eaten raw. P. edulis fruits are eaten for their pulp together with the seeds; however, the seeds are often discarded when used in processed foods. P. edulis seeds contain a variety of nutrients and functional components, and their industrial use is desirable from the perspective of waste reduction. Previous studies have analyzed the constituents of P. edulis and their physiological functions. P. edulis seeds contain various types of polyphenols, especially those rich in stilbenes (e.g., piceatannol). P. edulis seed extracts and isolated compounds from seeds have been reported to exhibit various physiological functions, such as antioxidant effects, improvement of skin condition, fat-burning promotion effects, and hypoglycemic effects. This review summarizes the nutritional characteristics, polyphenol content, and physiological functions of P. edulis seeds.