A Review on Mimosa pudica Linn. (Sensitive Plant) Ethnomedicinal and Pharmacological studies.

Sharad B. Kakurde ¹ and Nissar A. Reshi ²

Research Scholar, Department of Botany, Sandip University, Nashik, Maharashtra, India                                                   

   ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0602-7533

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Life Science & Microbiology, Sandip University, Nashik

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1164-294

INTRODUCTION

For many centuries, plants have been the primary source of medicinal products. Mimosa pudica was first formally described by the Carl Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753.  Mimosa pudica, commonly known as the sensitive plant or Lajalu plant, is herbaceous plant in the family Mimoaceae. Mimosa is a successful whole dicotyledonous genus distributed worldwide. The scientific name of the plant is Mimosa pudica, derived from Greek and Latin. The genus name Mimosa is Greek for "mimic" means sensitivity of the leaves, while the species “pudica” is of Latin origin means shy or shrink. The herb, Mimosa pudica, is widely recognized as the sensitive plant due to its unique characteristic of responding to touch. Mimosa pudica is understood through numerous names, including Sensitive plant, Touch me not, Humble plant. Mimosa pudica different names in various parts of the world & in India. Sanskrit name is Lajja, Ayurveda name is Lajjalu, English name is Sensitive plant, touch me not, Marathi name is Lajalu, Hindi name is Laajvant.Chhuimui. Tribal people of hamlets / villages refer to their language for their plant names. In the Bhil language of tribal dominated areas, the local name Lajalu and meaning “Shy”.¹ Mimosa pudica L. is commonly found in various habitats, predominantly in open spaces such as cultivated lands, roadside areas, and regions characterized by waste accumulation It is a creeping annual or perennial herb. Also, these plants are sensitive and have grayish green leaflets that fold and twist when touched. It is flowering plant with thorns on the stem.

They are much branched, prostrate, diffuse or semi-erect prickly under shrubs. The spine is paired and arched. The leaves are finger-shaped, have 2 to 4 pairs of pinnae, and are 4 to 8 cm long. The leaflets are 8 to 20 pairs, linearly oblong, sensitive, acute, margins bristled.²

Mimosa pudica is known for being a rapid plant movement. It has a "sleeping" or nyctinastic movement - changes in leaf orientation, similar to many other plant species. The leaves close in the dark but reopen when exposed to light.³ The seed coat development of Mimosa pudica Linn. follows an exotestal pattern and is of multiplicative type.⁴ The Mimosa pudica has a number of species which are used to treat various types of disorders and illnesses.

Nutritional Importances : Mimosa pudica has been found to contain of vitamin C, calcium and iron.The plant species Mimosa pudica has been found to contain vitamin C, an antioxidant that plays a pivotal role in maintaining immune system functionality. Some studies have shown that Mimosa pudica is rich in iron, an indispensable mineral that plays an important role in hemoglobin synthesis and oxygen transport in the human body. Additionally, calcium is found in this plant, which is an important element in maintaining strong teeth and bones.⁵

Health Benefits: The topical application of the juice extracted from the leaves is                            commonly employed for the treatment of sores and piles, and is also utilized in dressings for a variety of ailments including sinuses, diabetes mellitus, vaginal conditions, diarrhea, and whooping cough.⁶ Mimosa pudica exhibits both anxiolytic and anti-depressant properties. M. pudica been traditionally employed in Cameroon and Africa as an empirical remedy within the realm of traditional medicine for the treatment of anxiety.⁷  The Unani healthcare system has its origins in the treatment of ailments through alternative means and is particularly useful in treating diseases such as impurity in the blood and bile, as well as leprosy, piles, bilious fever and jaundice. The presence of phenolic components in the methanolic extract contributes to its effective wound healing activity.⁸

Traditional Uses: Mimosa pudica is mainly collected and cultivated as an ornamental plant due to its unique touch-sensitive characteristics. Traditional medicine is dependent on the utilization of plants due to their inherent healing and preventative attributes. According to Ayurveda, the root of this particular plant possesses bitter and acrid properties, making it suitable for various medicinal applications.It is known to exhibit vulnerary and cooling effects, as well as alexipharmic properties. Consequently, it has been traditionally employed in the treatment of dysentery, leprosy, vaginal & uterine complaints, inflammations, asthma, burning sensation, and leukoderma.⁹ Mimosa pudica L. has long been utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments, including dysentery, piles, urogenital disorders, sinus issues, and wound healing. This plant is renowned for its numerous potent effects, such as antioxidant, anti-infection, antimicrobial, antidepressant, anticancer, and antidiabetic properties.¹⁰ The Guaymi residing in the western province of Panama has utilize infusions made from the pulverized stem of Mimosa pudica, a plant with medicinal properties, for the treatment of arthritis.¹¹  

Ethnomedicinal Uses: The term ethnobotany was first coined in 1895 by John William Harshberger. The field of ethnobotany known as ethnomedicine explores the indigenous knowledge of diverse ethnic groups in regards to their healthcare practices. Ethnomedicinal plants, which encompass a variety of medicinal plant species, play a crucial role in the treatment of diverse ailments. These plants serve as a significant therapeutic asset in mitigating diseases, particularly in rural and tribal regions. It is used in ethnomedicine to prevent or treat various diseases such as diabetes, dysentery, diarrhea, hair loss, etc. The entire Mimosa pudica plant is utilized in the preparation of medicinal tablets for the treatment of white discharge.¹²

The Mimosa pudica plant is commonly employed in the treatment of leucorrhoea and menstrual complaints. The roots of this plant are typically immersed in cold water, while the juice extracted from the entire plant is administered nasally on once a day.¹³ To create a paste, an equal amount of crushed leaf and root is mixed with sufficient water and applied externally to treat piles. For epilepsy, extract the juice from the entire plant and add three drops to the nose daily for a month.¹⁴ The Mimosa Pudica plant roots is use in vaginal & uterine complaint.¹⁵ Mimosa pudica is a plant known for its medicinal properties, leaves and roots are used. The root juice of this plant is especially given to those suffering from urinary disorders.¹⁶ Mimosa pudica, this species is used in kidney disease.¹⁷ The act of crushing the leaves and stems of a plant is a common practice to alleviate inflammation, reduce pain, and relieve itching when applied topically.¹⁸ The leaves possess medicinal properties that make them effective in the treatment of ulcers, wounds, haemorrhoids, conjunctivitis, and haemorrhages. they can be applied on the forehead to provide relief from migraines and headaches.¹⁹ Mimosa pudica roots possess medicinal properties that have been traditionally employed in the treatment of menstrual problems and toothache. Additionally, this botanical species has been utilized for its therapeutic effects in addressing piles, dysentery and intestinal worms.²⁰

Chemical Constitutes: The chemical composition of Mimosa pudica encompasses various constituents are present. An alkaloid known as mimosine has been successfully extracted from the plant. The initial analysis of the leaf extract of M. pudica revealed the existence of various bioactive constituents, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, quinines, tannins, phenols, and saponins.²¹ Crocitin dimethyl ester is a constituent found in plant species, while tannins are predominantly present in plant roots. Additionally, the seed mucilage is composed of d-xylose and d-glucuronic acid.²² Mimosa pudica harbors the alkaloid Mimosine, which is found in limited amounts and possesses toxic properties.²³

Pharmacological Studies:  Medicinal plants used in various ailments and diseases are the richest biological reservoirs of various phytochemicals. Pharmacognosy mainly deals with information about the origin and composition of natural drug. Pharmacological activities and natural bioactive compounds found in various plant parts while medicinal uses of raw drugs obtained from plants. Phytochemical Screening is the process to identify the phytoconstituents present in the plant. Medicinal plants used in various ailments and diseases are the richest biological reservoirs of various phytochemicals. This plant are rich in secondary metabolites and are important therapeutically. Phenolic, alkaloids, flavonoids tannins are some main bio-active chemical constituents of plants. Mimosa pudica is renowned for its potent anticancer alkaloid, mimosine, in addition to a range of valuable secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, steroids, tannins, and glycosyl flavones.²⁴  Mimosa pudica is currently under investigation due to its potential in yielding innovative chemotherapeutic compounds. This plant species is of particular interest as it contains an alkaloid known as mimosine, which exhibits remarkable anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects.²⁵  Diabetes mellitus, induced by a high-fat diet and a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) in experimental animals, is widely acknowledged as a valuable model for conducting preliminary screenings of hypoglycemic agents. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is distinguished by the presence of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, primarily affecting the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. ²⁶ Phytochemical compounds of Mimosa pudica leaves were screened and also fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled system.²⁷ Bioactive compounds obtained from Mimosa pudica can be used for the development of antimicrobial agents for the treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections.²⁸  The whole plant of Mimosa pudica has been found to possess a noteworthy quantity of phenolic compounds in its ethanolic extract. These compounds have been observed to demonstrate superior antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties, thereby establishing the plant as a valuable source of natural antioxidants.²⁹ Herbs that that have tannins have the main component astringen are used for treating intestinal disorder such as diarrhea and dysentery. The presence of tannin in Mimosa pudica is the traditional treatment for ailments.³⁰  The ethyl acetate extract of Mimosa pudica contains phytochemicals that exhibit robust antibacterial properties, alongside notable antioxidant efficacy.³¹                         Wound bacteria obtained from an incised Mesocricetus auratus (hamster) were treated with an ethanolic extract obtained from Mimosa pudica leaves.³²  The antibacterial activity of nanoparticle formulations utilizing plant extracts exhibited higher efficacy compared to plant extracts alone.³³ Methanol extract of Mimosa pudica root provides partial scientific support for the use of this species as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent in various diseases associated with traditional medicine, especially central nervous system disorders.³⁴

CONCLUSION: This literature review highlights the importance of Mimosa pudica plants which belong to the Mimosoideae family. It reports on taxonomy, nutritional importance, health benefits, chemical constitute, ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological studies. All parts of this plant species have important medicinal uses. Phytochemical and pharmacological research should be carried out in the field of medicine to open new avenues in the field of medicines.

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