Passion Fruit

What Is Passion Fruit?

Passion fruit is a vigorous climbing vine grown across the tropics and subtropics for its aromatic fruit. In Brazil and much of Latin America its leaves and twigs are also a folk medicine, taken for anxiety and nervousness ^{4Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →}.

Passiflora edulis is native to Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina, where it grows at the edges of rain forests ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. It climbs by coiling tendrils and is the most widely cultivated of all the passion fruits ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}.

Three parts of the plant are used for three different purposes. The leaf is the traditional sedative. The dried fruit peel, a by-product of juice-making, has been studied for blood sugar and blood pressure. The seed yields piceatannol, a stilbene sold as a supplement ^{6,9,15Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →}. Human trials have tested the peel flour and the seed piceatannol, while the leaf has been studied in rats and mice ^{1,6,15,16Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →}.

Passion fruit is a different species from passionflower (P. incarnata). In Brazil it shares the name maracujá with winged-stem passionflower (P. alata), and these two are the country’s commercially valued medicinal passionflowers ^{14Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}. P. alata has been in the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia since 1929 ^{23Reference 23Amaral et al. · 2020In vitroCytotoxic, antitumor and toxicological profile of Passiflora alata leaf extract — in vitro and in vivo (mouse)View study →}.

Stinking passionflower (P. foetida) and blue passionflower (P. caerulea) are other members of the genus. Blue passionflower is the plant in which chrysin was identified as a flavone that binds the brain’s benzodiazepine receptors ^{24Reference 24Medina et al. · 1990AnimalChrysin (5,7-di-OH-flavone), a naturally-occurring ligand for benzodiazepine receptors, with anticonvulsant properties — isolation and in vivo (mouse)View study →}.

How Is Passion Fruit Used?

• Leaf — the leaves and twigs are taken as an infusion for anxiety, nervousness and restlessness ^{4,8Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →Reference 8Barbosa et al. · 2008AnimalThe aqueous extracts of Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis reduce anxiety-related behaviors without affecting memory process in rats — rat, intraperitonealView study →}.
• Fruit peel — dried and milled into a flour, and taken for blood-sugar control ^{15,16Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →}.
• Seed — the source of piceatannol-rich extracts sold as supplements ^{6,17Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →}.
• Fruit — the juice and pulp are eaten as food.

Traditional Uses

Brazilian & Latin American Folk Medicine

The leaves and twigs are taken as an infusion for anxiety and nervousness across Brazil and much of Latin America ^{4Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →}. Passion fruit is also used as a sedative for difficult sleep ^{3Reference 3Sena et al. · 2009AnimalNeuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal modelView study →}.

The plant shares the name maracujá with P. alata, and both are used as sedatives and tranquillisers ^{8,14Reference 8Barbosa et al. · 2008AnimalThe aqueous extracts of Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis reduce anxiety-related behaviors without affecting memory process in rats — rat, intraperitonealView study →Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}.

The leaf is also used for inflamed skin and for intermittent fever ^{7Reference 7Montanher et al. · 2007AnimalEvidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model — mouse, intraperitonealView study →}.

The fruit itself is eaten as food.

Botany

Passion fruit is an evergreen climbing vine that is woody at the base. Its stems usually reach about 6 m, and sometimes 9 m or more ^{21,22Reference 21Wang et al. · 2007Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distributionView study →Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. It climbs by coiling tendrils, scrambling over the ground or into other plants ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}.

The leaves are 6–13 cm long and deeply three-lobed, with finely toothed, glandular margins ^{21Reference 21Wang et al. · 2007Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distributionView study →}.

The flowers are 4–7 cm across and grow singly, opposite a tendril. Their corona is made of several rows of filaments, light green at the base, purple in the middle and white at the tip ^{21Reference 21Wang et al. · 2007Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distributionView study →}.

The fruit is an egg-shaped berry 3–4 cm across, purple when ripe in the typical form, with a tough skin and many seeds ^{21,22Reference 21Wang et al. · 2007Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distributionView study →Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. The yellow form, f. flavicarpa, is larger in all its parts and grows well in the lowland tropics. The purple form, f. edulis, suits cooler regions and higher elevations ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. Most of the pharmacology below was done on the yellow form ^{1,3,9,14,15Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 3Sena et al. · 2009AnimalNeuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal modelView study →Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →}.

Distribution

Passion fruit grows wild in Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. It is now cultivated from the warm temperate zone to the tropics, from sea level to 900 m in the subtropics and at 900–2,000 m in the tropics ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}. In China it is grown in the south and has escaped into mountain forests at 100–1,900 m ^{21Reference 21Wang et al. · 2007Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distributionView study →}.

It naturalises readily, and it has become invasive in some countries, including New Zealand and South Africa ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}.

Passion fruit sold as food or medicine is cultivated. The medicinal peel is a by-product of the juice industry ^{9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →}, so it comes from the same fruit crop rather than a separate harvest. For peel flour or leaf, it is worth asking where it was grown and how it was dried and processed.

Growing Conditions

Cultivation snapshot for Passion Fruit

SunFull sun to dappled shadeSoilWell-drained and humus-rich

WaterRegular and consistent; fruit drop follows drought stress.

LifePerennial vine, with a commercial lifespan of 3–6 years ^{22Reference 22Fern · 2014Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivationView study →}.

ZoneUSDA 9–11 for the purple form, 10–11 for the yellow.

Leaf flavonoid content changes with growing conditions. Inoculating seedlings with mycorrhizal fungi raised leaf vitexin by about 64%, and Acaulospora longula also raised total flavonoids and saponins ^{13Reference 13de Oliveira et al. · 2019Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation — agronomicView study →}.

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Indications

• Type 2 diabetes, alongside usual treatment [peel flour] ⚠Caution: One of the two trials had no control group. In the placebo-controlled trial, a turmeric-and-piperine arm lowered triglycerides and insulin resistance more ^15,16.
• Anxiety, nervousness and restlessness [leaf; Brazilian folk use]
• Difficulty sleeping [leaf; Brazilian folk use]
• Inflamed skin and intermittent fever [leaf; Brazilian folk use]
• Raised blood pressure [peel extract; seed piceatannol] ⚠Caution: The peel has been tested only in rats. The one human result came from isolated seed piceatannol, and only in overweight men ^6,10.
• Insulin resistance [seed piceatannol] ⚠Caution: The benefit appeared only in overweight men, 10 of the 39 people in the trial ⁶.
• Dry skin [seed extract] ⚠Caution: Skin moisture rose from baseline. Against placebo, the difference showed only in the women with the driest skin ¹⁷.

Pharmacology & Research

Four small human trials have been published: two of the dried fruit peel for blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and two of seed piceatannol, for metabolic health and for dry skin ^{6,15,16,17Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →}. A 2020 meta-analysis pooled the peel-flour data alongside studies of turmeric ^{5Reference 5Sousa et al. · 2020Meta-analysisEffectiveness of passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis L.) versus turmeric flour (Curcuma longa L.) on glycemic control — systematic review and meta-analysisView study →}.

The leaf, the traditional sedative, has been studied in rats and mice. Its extracts reduce anxiety-like behaviour and, at higher doses, cause sedation ^{1,2,8,14Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 2Coleta et al. · 2006AnimalNeuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal modelView study →Reference 8Barbosa et al. · 2008AnimalThe aqueous extracts of Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis reduce anxiety-related behaviors without affecting memory process in rats — rat, intraperitonealView study →Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}.

Across the plant, more than 110 compounds have been identified, most of them flavonoids and triterpenoids ^{12Reference 12He et al. · 2020ReviewPassiflora edulis: an insight into current researches on phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}.

1. Glycemic Control

The dried fruit peel, a by-product of the juice industry, is the part of this plant with the most human data.

In an uncontrolled trial, 43 people with type 2 diabetes took 30 g/day of yellow passion fruit peel flour for two months alongside their usual treatment. Fasting glucose, HbA1c and HOMA-IR fell (HOMA-IR p = 0.005), and HOMA-beta rose ^{15Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →}.

A randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 89 patients over 120 days compared albedo-flour capsules (500 mg three times daily) with turmeric plus piperine. Fasting glucose fell 5.9% on albedo flour against a 9% rise on placebo, and HbA1c fell by 0.8% in both active groups. The turmeric arm lowered triglycerides and HOMA-IR more, and was judged more cost-effective ^{16Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →}.

A 2020 systematic review of 11 studies of passion fruit peel flour and turmeric flour found a significant HbA1c effect for both. The effect size was 0.32 (CI 0.23–0.45) for peel flour and 0.73 for turmeric ^{5Reference 5Sousa et al. · 2020Meta-analysisEffectiveness of passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis L.) versus turmeric flour (Curcuma longa L.) on glycemic control — systematic review and meta-analysisView study →}.

In rats on a high-fat diet, peel flour raised GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, raised adiponectin, lowered leptin and body fat, and improved insulin sensitivity, with higher hypothalamic CART expression ^{11Reference 11Lima et al. · 2016AnimalPassiflora edulis peel intake improves insulin sensitivity, increasing incretins and hypothalamic satietogenic neuropeptide in rats on a high-fat diet — animal modelView study →}. The aqueous peel extract contains pectin, a soluble fibre ^{9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →}.

2. Anxiolytic & Sedative

The leaf and aerial parts have been tested in rats and mice.

In mice, extracts of the aerial parts were anxiolytic on the elevated plus-maze at 100–400 mg/kg depending on the fraction, and sedative at higher doses. The aqueous extract, which contained little flavonoid, was also anxiolytic, so flavonoids do not explain the whole effect. Isoorientin alone was anxiolytic at 20 mg/kg and sedative at 40–80 mg/kg ^{1Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →}.

A bioguided fractionation of an aqueous extract isolated a luteolin glycoside that reduced anxiety-like behaviour without impairing movement. The whole flavonoid fraction did impair it ^{2Reference 2Coleta et al. · 2006AnimalNeuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal modelView study →}.

Injected aqueous extracts were anxiolytic in rats at 50–150 mg/kg and left memory intact, whereas diazepam disrupted it ^{8Reference 8Barbosa et al. · 2008AnimalThe aqueous extracts of Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis reduce anxiety-related behaviors without affecting memory process in rats — rat, intraperitonealView study →}.

An aqueous extract of the fruit pericarp was anxiolytic in the light–dark box in mice and deepened ether-induced sleep ^{3Reference 3Sena et al. · 2009AnimalNeuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal modelView study →}. Measured by telemetry, aqueous extracts of pericarp and leaf both reduced movement in mice, and the pericarp extracts had the stronger effect ^{14Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: no human trial has tested any P. edulis preparation for anxiety or sleep.

3. Anti-Inflammatory

In mice with carrageenan-induced pleurisy, an aqueous leaf extract injected at 250 mg/kg reduced leukocyte migration, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, TNF-α and IL-1β. At 250–500 mg/kg it also reduced leukocytes in pleurisy induced by bradykinin, histamine or substance P ^{7Reference 7Montanher et al. · 2007AnimalEvidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model — mouse, intraperitonealView study →}.

In a 2026 mouse model of allergic asthma, a diet containing 3% purple passion fruit peel lowered IgE, IL-4 and IL-5 and raised antioxidant enzyme activity ^{20Reference 20Fonseca et al. · 2026AnimalDietary intervention with purple passion fruit peel in asthma: insights into Th2-mediated responses in an ovalbumin-induced murine model — animal modelView study →}.

All of this is animal work.

4. Antihypertensive & Cardiovascular

A hydroethanolic peel extract relaxed isolated mesenteric artery rings, mainly by opening potassium channels ^{9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →}.

In hypertensive rats, 28 days of peel extract lowered blood pressure, reduced vascular hypercontractility and improved endothelium-dependent relaxation. Nitric oxide bioavailability and glutathione rose, malondialdehyde fell, and plasma IL-10 rose ^{10Reference 10Cabral et al. · 2022AnimalCardiovascular effects induced by fruit peels from Passiflora edulis in hypertensive rats and fingerprint analysis by HPLC-ESI-MSn — animal modelView study →}. Orientin and isoorientin were identified in the peel extracts ^{9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →}.

The one human cardiovascular signal comes from the seed: isolated piceatannol lowered blood pressure and heart rate in overweight men over eight weeks ^{6Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →}.

Gap: the animal data are from the peel, and the human blood-pressure signal is from an isolated seed stilbene. No trial has tested the peel for blood pressure in people.

5. Metabolic & Insulin Sensitivity

Seed-derived piceatannol, a stilbene related to resveratrol, was tested at 20 mg/day for eight weeks against placebo in 39 adults. Overweight men showed lower fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, blood pressure and heart rate. Non-overweight men, and women of either weight, showed no change ^{6Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →}.

The company that makes the capsules supplied them and employed two of the authors ^{6Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →}.

In rats on a high-fat diet, peel flour improved insulin sensitivity through incretin and satiety pathways ^{11Reference 11Lima et al. · 2016AnimalPassiflora edulis peel intake improves insulin sensitivity, increasing incretins and hypothalamic satietogenic neuropeptide in rats on a high-fat diet — animal modelView study →}.

Gap: the human result is a subgroup finding in a small trial, and it tested an isolated constituent rather than the herb.

6. Dermatologic

In a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 32 Japanese women aged 35–54 with dry skin took a piceatannol-rich passion fruit seed extract (5 mg piceatannol) for eight weeks. Skin moisture rose significantly from baseline at four and eight weeks. Against placebo, the difference was significant only in the women with the driest skin ^{17Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →}.

In cultured keratinocytes, piceatannol and the seed extract raised glutathione and reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species ^{18Reference 18Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2013In vitroThe protective effects of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: the trial was small, three of its four authors worked for the extract’s manufacturer, and it tested an isolated seed extract ^{17Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →}.

7. Antioxidant

Reviews of the species report antioxidant activity across its parts ^{12Reference 12He et al. · 2020ReviewPassiflora edulis: an insight into current researches on phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}. In keratinocytes, seed piceatannol raised glutathione and reduced UVB-induced reactive oxygen species ^{18Reference 18Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2013In vitroThe protective effects of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes — in vitroView study →}.

The one human trial that measured oxidative-stress markers, of seed piceatannol, found no change in them ^{6Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →}.

8. Antidepressant

In mice, seven days of stem or leaf ethanol extract reduced immobility in the forced swim and tail suspension tests, an antidepressant-like signal. Two isolated cyclopassiflosides, IX and XI, had the same effect ^{4Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →}.

This is a single study. It has not been replicated or tested in people.

Mechanisms

The leaf’s C-glycosyl flavones, including isoorientin and a luteolin glycoside, and its cycloartane saponins have been studied for anxiolytic, sedative and antidepressant-like activity in rodents ^{1,2,4Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 2Coleta et al. · 2006AnimalNeuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal modelView study →Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →}. The peel has been studied for its fibre, including pectin, and for relaxing blood vessels through potassium channels ^{9,11Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →Reference 11Lima et al. · 2016AnimalPassiflora edulis peel intake improves insulin sensitivity, increasing incretins and hypothalamic satietogenic neuropeptide in rats on a high-fat diet — animal modelView study →}.

The seed’s piceatannol is a stilbene with a separate line of research, on insulin sensitivity and skin ^{6,18Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 18Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2013In vitroThe protective effects of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes — in vitroView study →}.

Clinical Trials

Four small human trials have been published: one uncontrolled and one placebo-controlled trial of peel or albedo flour for blood sugar ^{15,16Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →}, and two placebo-controlled trials of seed piceatannol, for metabolic health and for skin ^{6,17Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →}. No human trial has tested the leaf.

Last checked: September 2026.

Phytochemistry

More than 110 compounds have been identified across the plant’s parts, most of them flavonoids and triterpenoids ^{12Reference 12He et al. · 2020ReviewPassiflora edulis: an insight into current researches on phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}.

The fruit pericarp contains C-glycosyl flavones: isoorientin, vicenin-2, spinosin and 6,8-di-C-glycosylchrysin ^{3Reference 3Sena et al. · 2009AnimalNeuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal modelView study →}. Orientin and isoorientin have been identified in fruit-peel extracts, and the aqueous peel extract also contains pectin ^{9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →}.

The stems and leaves contain cycloartane triterpenoids and their saponins, the cyclopassiflosides ^{4Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →}. The leaf also contains vitexin, whose level rises with mycorrhizal inoculation ^{13Reference 13de Oliveira et al. · 2019Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation — agronomicView study →}. A luteolin 7-O-rhamnosylglucoside has been isolated from an aqueous extract of the plant ^{2Reference 2Coleta et al. · 2006AnimalNeuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal modelView study →}.

The seed contains piceatannol and its dimer, scirpusin B ^{18Reference 18Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2013In vitroThe protective effects of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes — in vitroView study →}.

Constituent Summary

The main constituents by plant part.

Constituent	Part	Note
Isoorientin	Aerial parts, pericarp, peel	Anxiolytic at 20 mg/kg and sedative at 40–80 mg/kg in mice 1Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →
Vicenin-2, spinosin	Pericarp	Identified in the anxiolytic pericarp extract 3Reference 3Sena et al. · 2009AnimalNeuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal modelView study →
Orientin	Fruit peel	Identified in peel extracts 9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →
Vitexin	Leaf	Rose by about 64% with mycorrhizal inoculation 13Reference 13de Oliveira et al. · 2019Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation — agronomicView study →
Luteolin	Aqueous extract	Its 7-O-rhamnosylglucoside is anxiolytic without motor impairment 2Reference 2Coleta et al. · 2006AnimalNeuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal modelView study →
Cyclopassiflosides	Stem, leaf	Cycloartane saponins; antidepressant-like in mice 4Reference 4Wang et al. · 2013AnimalCycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal modelView study →
Pectin	Fruit peel	Soluble fibre in the aqueous peel extract 9Reference 9Cabral et al. · 2021AnimalHypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal modelView study →
Piceatannol	Seed	A stilbene, sold as an isolated supplement 6,17Reference 6Kitada et al. · 2017RCTThe effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlledView study →Reference 17Maruki-Uchida et al. · 2018RCTEffect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trialView study →

The cyclopassiflosides and the C-glycosyl flavones as a class are compound groups rather than discrete tagged molecules and are described above.

Dosage

Research Doses

The peel and albedo doses are weights of the whole dried material. The seed doses are amounts of piceatannol, not of seed.

Traditional Dosage

Safety & Pregnancy

The fruit is a food, and a review of the species reports that eating it at ordinary amounts is safe ^{12Reference 12He et al. · 2020ReviewPassiflora edulis: an insight into current researches on phytochemistry and pharmacology — reviewView study →}. The peel flour has been taken for two to four months in trials ^{15,16Reference 15de Queiroz et al. · 2012Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43View study →Reference 16Sousa et al. · 2021RCTCost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trialView study →}.

The leaf is the part to treat with care. It is sedative in animals at doses that also reduce movement ^{1,14Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}, and it has no food history.

Full Safety Detail

Leaf toxicity. In rats, single oral doses of aqueous leaf extract up to 2,000 mg/kg caused no deaths and no neurological or behavioural signs. Seven days at 100–400 mg/kg left blood counts, liver enzymes, kidney markers and organ weights unchanged ^{19Reference 19Devaki et al. · 2012AnimalEffect of aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis on biochemical and hematological parameters of Wistar albino rats — animal modelView study →}. Longer use has not been tested.

Sedation. The leaf reduces movement in animals at doses in the same range as its anxiolytic ones ^{1,14Reference 1Deng et al. · 2010AnimalAnxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal modelView study →Reference 14Klein et al. · 2014AnimalAssessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal modelView study →}. It is best not combined with benzodiazepines, alcohol or sedating antihistamines, or taken before driving until the response is known.

Interactions. No human drug-interaction, pharmacokinetic or CYP450 study exists for any preparation of the plant. Added sedation alongside other sedatives is the interaction most likely to matter.

References

1. Deng, J., Zhou, Y., Bai, M., et al. (2010). Anxiolytic and sedative activities of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa — animal model. J Ethnopharmacol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20051259/
2. Coleta, M., Batista, M. T., Campos, M. G., et al. (2006). Neuropharmacological evaluation of the putative anxiolytic effects of Passiflora edulis Sims, its sub-fractions and flavonoid constituents — animal model. Phytother Res. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17009209/
3. Sena, L. M., Zucolotto, S. M., Reginatto, F. H., et al. (2009). Neuropharmacological activity of the pericarp of Passiflora edulis flavicarpa degener: putative involvement of C-glycosylflavonoids — animal model. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19491371/
4. Wang, C., Xu, F. Q., Shang, J. H., et al. (2013). Cycloartane triterpenoid saponins from water soluble of Passiflora edulis Sims and their antidepressant-like effects — animal model. J Ethnopharmacol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23702036/
5. Sousa, D. F., Veras, V. S., Freire, V. E. C. S., et al. (2020). Effectiveness of passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis L.) versus turmeric flour (Curcuma longa L.) on glycemic control — systematic review and meta-analysis. Curr Diabetes Rev. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31738145/
6. Kitada, M., Ogura, Y., Maruki-Uchida, H., et al. (2017). The effect of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds on metabolic health in humans — randomised, placebo-controlled. Nutrients. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29057795/
7. Montanher, A. B., Zucolotto, S. M., Schenkel, E. P., Fröde, T. S. (2007). Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of Passiflora edulis in an inflammation model — mouse, intraperitoneal. J Ethnopharmacol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16949230/
8. Barbosa, P. R., Valvassori, S. S., Bordignon, C. L. Jr., et al. (2008). The aqueous extracts of Passiflora alata and Passiflora edulis reduce anxiety-related behaviors without affecting memory process in rats — rat, intraperitoneal. J Med Food. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18598170/
9. Cabral, B., Bortolin, R. H., Gonçalves, T. A. F., et al. (2021). Hypoglycemic and vasorelaxant effect of Passiflora edulis fruit peel by-product — animal model. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34581915/
10. Cabral, B., Gonçalves, T. A. F., Abreu, L. S., et al. (2022). Cardiovascular effects induced by fruit peels from Passiflora edulis in hypertensive rats and fingerprint analysis by HPLC-ESI-MSn — animal model. Planta Med. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34344056/
11. Lima, G. C., Vuolo, M. M., Batista, Â. G., et al. (2016). Passiflora edulis peel intake improves insulin sensitivity, increasing incretins and hypothalamic satietogenic neuropeptide in rats on a high-fat diet — animal model. Nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27138107/
12. He, X., Luan, F., Yang, Y., et al. (2020). Passiflora edulis: an insight into current researches on phytochemistry and pharmacology — review. Front Pharmacol. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32508631/
13. de Oliveira, P. T. F., Dos Santos, E. L., da Silva, W. A. V., et al. (2019). Production of biomolecules of interest to the anxiolytic herbal medicine industry in yellow passionfruit leaves promoted by mycorrhizal inoculation — agronomic. J Sci Food Agric. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30666655/
14. Klein, N., Gazola, A. C., de Lima, T. C., et al. (2014). Assessment of sedative effects of Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa and Passiflora alata extracts in mice, measured by telemetry — animal model. Phytother Res. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23893399/
15. de Queiroz, M. do S., Janebro, D. I., da Cunha, M. A., et al. (2012). Effect of the yellow passion fruit peel flour (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa deg.) in insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients — uncontrolled before-and-after trial, n=43. Nutr J. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23088514/
16. Sousa, D. F., Araújo, M. F. M., de Mello, V. D., et al. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of passion fruit albedo versus turmeric in the glycemic and lipaemic control of people with type 2 diabetes — randomised clinical trial. J Am Coll Nutr. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33141635/
17. Maruki-Uchida, H., Morita, M., Yonei, Y., Sai, M. (2018). Effect of passion fruit seed extract rich in piceatannol on the skin of women — randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29491276/
18. Maruki-Uchida, H., Kurita, I., Sugiyama, K., Sai, M. (2013). The protective effects of piceatannol from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes — in vitro. Biol Pharm Bull. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23649341/
19. Devaki, K., Beulah, U., Akila, G., Gopalakrishnan, V. K. (2012). Effect of aqueous extract of Passiflora edulis on biochemical and hematological parameters of Wistar albino rats — animal model. Toxicol Int. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22736906/
20. Fonseca, A. M. A., de Paula do Nascimento, R., Bellinazzi, L., et al. (2026). Dietary intervention with purple passion fruit peel in asthma: insights into Th2-mediated responses in an ovalbumin-induced murine model — animal model. Food Res Int. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42270229/
21. Wang, Y., Krosnick, S. E., Jørgensen, P. M., & Hearn, D. (2007). Passiflora edulis Sims — species description and distribution. In Flora of China, Vol. 13, Passifloraceae. eFloras.org. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200014476
22. Fern, K. (2014). Passiflora edulis — habit, range, habitat and cultivation. Useful Tropical Plants Database. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Passiflora+edulis
23. Amaral, R. G., Gomes, S. V. F., Andrade, L. N., et al. (2020). Cytotoxic, antitumor and toxicological profile of Passiflora alata leaf extract — in vitro and in vivo (mouse). Molecules, 25(20), 4814. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33092066/
24. Medina, J. H., Paladini, A. C., Wolfman, C., et al. (1990). Chrysin (5,7-di-OH-flavone), a naturally-occurring ligand for benzodiazepine receptors, with anticonvulsant properties — isolation and in vivo (mouse). Biochemical Pharmacology, 40(10), 2227–2231. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2173925/

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