Review System of Passiflora Indica as an Mood Stabilizer

Abstract

Mood disorders, including anxiety, depression, and bipolar spectrumdisturbances, represent a major global mental health burden and significantlyimpair quality of life. Although conventional mood stabilizers and anxiolyticsare widely used, their long-term administration is often limited by adverseeffects, drug interactions, and incomplete therapeutic response. This has led toincreasing interest in plant-based therapeutics with multi-target neuropsychopharmacologicalactions. Passiflora indica, a member of thePassifloraceae family, is traditionally used in various systems of medicine for itssedative, anxiolytic, and calming properties. Recent scientific investigationssuggest that the plant contains several bioactive phytoconstituents, includingflavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, which may contribute to itscentral nervous system activity. The proposed mood-stabilizing effects ofPassiflora indica are primarily attributed to modulation of the gammaaminobutyricacid (GABA) ergic system, serotonergic pathways, antioxidantdefense mechanisms, and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis.