Anxiolytic effects of a passion flower (Passiflora incarnata L.) extract in the elevated plus maze in mice

The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like activity of an ethanolic extract prepared from passion flower (PF) (Passiflora incarnata L.) using the elevated plus maze (EPM) in mice. The mice were either treated orally with three different concentrations of the PF extract or the positive control diazepam. The number of entries in the open arms was significantly increased after administration of diazepam compared to the control. PF extract showed a significant increase in number of open arm entries at a concentration of 375 mg/kg, whereas no activity was observed in 150 and 600 mg/kg, respectively, indicating an U-shaped dose response curve. In conclusion, using the EPM we were able to detect putative anxiolytic effects of a Passiflora incarnata extract in mice.