Recent updates on the genus Passiflora: A review

Abstract

Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of year and an impressive number of modern drug have been isolated from natural sources, many based on their use in traditional medicine. Plants from the genus Passiflora have been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. Flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, phenolic compounds and volatile constituents have been reported as the major phyto-constituents of the Passiflora species. This review describes the morphology, traditional and folklore uses, phyto-constituents and pharmacological reports of the prominent species of the genus Passiflora. Various virgin areas of research on the species of this genus have been highlighted with a view to explore, isolate and identify the medicinally important phytoconstituents which could be utilized to alleviate various diseases affecting the mankind.