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Abstract

Passiflora foetida, commonly known as stinking passion flower has been used as traditional medicine in treating diseases such as throat infection, giddiness, liver disorder, diarrhea, tumor, nervous disorder, anxiety; sleep disorders, skin infections, hysteria and asthma. In addition, P. foetida has been reported to have potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiepileptic, anti hyperglycemic, cardio protective, anti-diarrheal, and anticancer properties. Metabolites isolated from this plant are mainly flavonoids, polysaccharides, α-pyrones and cyanohydrins. The compounds have been isolated from the leaves, stems, seeds, resins and fruits. The stems of P. foetida have high cellulose content. The leaves and fruits of Passiflora foetida have high nutritional value that they find use as herbal tea, tablets and nutritional powders. Vitexin was quantified by a high-performance thin-layer chromatographic technique. These compounds tend to have diverse biological properties. This review article highlights the secondary metabolites, quantification of phytochemicals, proximate parameters, chemical constituents their activities and applications. INTRODUCTION:The Passiflora is a genus of about five hundred and fifty species of flowering plants belonging to the Passifloraceae family. Passiflora foetida is a valuable medicinal plant native to tropical northern South America and West Indies. This species which is naturalized in many areas due to its properties, is polymorphic and is available in thirty-seven varieties. It is an important fruit crop used for medicinal and ornamental purposes 1 . It grows at the edge of forests, plantations, river and creek banks, abandoned fields, roadsides, and moist lands, up to 1000m above sea level on all soil types and wet areas. The medicinal properties of this species is utilized in