The genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) technique was applied to Passiflora interspecific F1 HD13-133 hybrids (Passiflora sublanceolata x Passiflora foetida) and HD15-101 (Passiflora gardineri x Passiflora gibertii), and the backcrossed hybrids (BC1) HD18-106 and HD18-113 (Passiflora sublanceolata x HD13-133). GISH was performed using genomic probes prepared with the DNA from the paternal geni...

The genus Passiflora provides a remarkable example of floral complexity and diversity. The extreme variation of Passiflora flower morphologies allowed a wide range of interactions with pollinators to evolve. We used the analysis of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) as an approach for the characterization of genes expressed during Passiflora reproductive development. Analyzing the Passiflora floral...

Over 50 years ago, C. P. Snow warned that a growing chasm between scientific and literary intellectuals would leave society ill-prepared to solve its most pressing problems. In his now classic lecture (later published as an essay), ‘‘The Two Cultures,’’ Snow—who as a physicist and novelist had special insight into the problem—described the depth of the divide and appeared to chide the willful i...

Extracts of Hypericum, Passiflora and Valeriana are used for the treatment of mild depression and anxiety. We were interested whether a combination of Hypericum and Passiflora exerts comparable effects to Hypericum alone. We used two well-established models for investigating extracts for their anti-depressant activity, namely the effects on synaptic uptake of serotonin and the forced-swimming-t...

INTRODUCTION In Brazilian countryside, cataplasm made from Passiflora edulis leaves has been used by the population as a healing agent for infections and skin inflammations in an empiric basis. PURPOSE the aim of this work was to evaluate the healing process of open wounds in rats, in which Passiflora edulis hydro-alcoholic extract was applied. METHODS Sixty male, adult Wistar rats were div...

OBJECTIVE Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a folk remedy for anxiety. A double-blind randomized trial compared the efficacy of Passiflora incarnata extract with oxazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS The study was performed on 36 out-patients diagnosed with GAD using DSM IV criteria. Patients were allocated in a random fashion: 18 to the Passiflora extract 4...