Pricalm is a biologically active supplement which includes
• Valerian – 44 mg
• Passiflora – 30 mg
Valerian
Valerian is a perennial flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. Valerian has been used as a herb in traditional medicine since at least the time of ancient Greece and Rome. Hippocrates described its properties, and Galen later prescribed it as a remedy for insomnia. [1]
The extract of the root of valerian, a flowering plant, has been widely used to treat sleeping disorders in Europe for decades. Valerian is becoming increasingly popular in the United States as a self-prescribed treatment for insomnia. In a national survey conducted in 2002, 1.1% of the adult population in the United States, or approximately 2 million adults, reported using valerian in the past week. If valerian is an effective treatment for insomnia, it may be an important treatment alternative because it is relatively inexpensive and without known side effects. [2]
Insomnia is one of the most common complaints among adults. Approximately 40% of adults with insomnia have used either over-the-counter medication or alcohol to help induce sleep, and approximately one-quarter have used prescription medications at least once. [3]
Valerian is the most commonly used herbal product to induce sleep in both the United States and Europe. In addition to evidence from clinical trials, there is some intriguing historical and basic science evidence regarding the efficacy of valerian. Several different species of Valeriana have been used for sedation and sleep in many different cultures throughout the world. Also, several studies have shown that components of valerian inhibit the breakdown of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain and induce sedation and a decrease in central nervous system activity in mice. The presence of this plausible mechanism of action lends support to the limited clinical trial data. Valerian may be a more attractive option than other sleeping agents because of the lack of hangover effect. [4]
Passiflora
Passiflora, known also as the passion flowers or passion vines, is a genus of about 550 species of flowering plants, the type genus of the family Passifloraceae. [5]
The passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a perennial plant with documented therapeutic properties. The literature data suggest that the passionflower itself, as well as its preparations, helps reduce stress and can therefore be helpful in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, and depression. [6]
The majority of studies reported reduced anxiety levels following the administration of Passiflora incarnata preparations, with the effect less evident in people with mild anxiety symptoms. No adverse effects, including memory loss or collapse of psychometric functions, were observed. Conclusion: Passiflora incarnata may be helpful in treating some symptoms in neuropsychiatric patients. [7]
The species Passiflora incarnata L. is included in many Pharmacopoeias, and it is the most used species in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. However, there are around 600 species of the genus Passiflora and probably other species that can be used safely. The complexity of Passiflora extracts creates challenges for the development of herbal medicines. P. incarnata is the most studied species of the genus and the most used in natural anxiolytic herbal medicine formulations. However, there are hundreds of Passiflora species potentially useful for medicinal and nutraceutical purposes that are still little explored. [8]
Passiflora incarnata is a perennial plant containing precious phytochemicals with health-promoting properties. The most important among them would appear to be chrysin, due to its neuroprotective effects. [9]
Passiflora incarnata is important in herbal medicine for treating anxiety or nervousness, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), symptoms of opiate withdrawal, insomnia, neuralgia, convulsion, spasmodic asthma, ADHD, palpitations, cardiac rhythm abnormalities, hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and menopause. However, the mechanism of action is still under discussion. [10]
Passionflower has the potential to alleviate some symptoms of neuropsychiatric origin. The anti-anxiety effect of Passiflora incarnata is comparable to drugs such as oxazepam or midazolam. Consequently, it seems to be an effective and safe pharmaceutical to reduce stress reactivity, insomnia, anxiety, and depression-like behaviors. [11]
References
[1] Office of Dietary Supplements, US National Institutes of Health. 15 March 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
[2] Houghton PJ. The scientific basis for the reputed activity of valerian. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1999;51:505–512.
[3] Ancoli-Israel S, Roth T. Characteristics of insomnia in the United States: results of the 1991 National Sleep Foundation Survey. I. Sleep. 1999;22(Suppl 2):S347–S353.
[4] Bent S, Padula A, Moore D, Patterson M, Mehling W. Valerian for sleep: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2006 Dec;119(12):1005-12. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2006.02.026. PMID: 17145239; PMCID: PMC4394901.
[5] Ulmer, Torsten; McDougal, John M. (2004). Passiflora - Passion Flowers of the World. Portland: Timber Press.
[6] Patel S. Passiflora Incarnata Linn: A phytopharmacological review. Int. J. Green Pharm. 2009;3:277–280. doi: 10.4103/0973-8258.59731.
[7] Janda K, Wojtkowska K, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):3894. doi: 10.3390/nu12123894. PMID: 33352740; PMCID: PMC7766837.
[8] da Fonseca LR, Rodrigues RA, Ramos AS, da Cruz JD, Ferreira JLP, Silva JRA, Amaral ACF. Herbal Medicinal Products from Passiflora for Anxiety: An Unexploited Potential. ScientificWorldJournal. 2020 Jul 20;2020:6598434. doi: 10.1155/2020/6598434. PMID: 32765195; PMCID: PMC7387951.
[9] Al-kuraishy H., Alwindy S., Al-Gareeb A. Beneficial Neuro-Pharmacological Effect of Passionflower (Passiflora Incarnate L) Online J. Neurol. Brain Disord. 2020;3:285–289. doi: 10.32474/OJNBD.2020.03.000172.
[10] Appel K., Rose T., Fiebich B., Kammler T., Hoffmann C., Weiss G. Modulation of the γ-aminobutric acid (GABA) system by Passiflora Incarnata L. Phytother. Res. PTR. 2011;25:838–843. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3352.
[11] Janda K, Wojtkowska K, Jakubczyk K, Antoniewicz J, Skonieczna-Żydecka K. Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2020 Dec 19;12(12):3894. doi: 10.3390/nu12123894. PMID: 33352740; PMCID: PMC7766837.