AN OVERVIEW ON MIMOSA PUDICA (TOUCH-ME-NOT PLANT)

Abstract

Mimosa pudica is short-lived evergreen shrub commonly known as the “touch-me-not” plant, Chui Mui, Shame plant. Its various parts have therapeutic value. The roots of Mimosa pudica are bitter, astringent, acrid and cooling. They are used in the treatment of ulcers, inflammations, asthma, diarrhea, urinary complaints and fistulas. The plant contains the alkaloid mimosine, and extract of its leaves contains adrenaline-like substance. It has promising pharmacological profile like antibacterial, antivenom, antifertility, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac etc. The herb has been used traditionally in the treatment of urogenital disorders, dysentery, sinus, and also applied on wounds. The juice of freshly crushed leaves is used internally and externally in piles, to treat cuts and wounds. It is also applied externally to fissures, skin wounds and ulcers. The hemostatic property of Mimosa pudica helps to control bleeding in piles. It is commonly distributed in open-spaces, especially road side, cultivated land and waste area. It has prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball-shaped pink flowers in summer. Its anti-inflammatory activity reduces inflammation and helps to control secondary infections. This paper is an attempt to explore and compile different pharmacognostic aspects of the plant M. pudica.

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Vijay et al. International Journal of Modern Pharmaceutical Research
Volume 6, Issue 4. 2022 │ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Journal │ 28
AN OVERVIEW ON MIMOSA PUDICA (TOUCH-ME-NOT PLANT)
Vijay D. Havaldar*1, Savita S. Mali1, Kailas K. Mali2, Snehal S. Shinde1 and Nilam Y. Jadhav1
1Adarsh Institute of Pharmacy, Vita, Sangli 415311, Maharashtra, India.
2Adarsh College of Pharmacy, Vita, Sangli 415311, Maharashtra, India.
INTRODUCTION
‘Mimosa pudica’ is a creeping annual or perennial
herb.[1] It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in Species
Plantarum in 1753. ‘Mimosa‟ is a Greek word means
mimic and „pudica‟ is a latin word which has a meaning,
shy. Folding movement observed by this plant leaves
after external physical disturbances or contact. It
undergoes changes in leaf orientation at night called as
nyctinastic movement, which is controlled by a
biological clock. It is often grown for its curiosity value.
The compound leaves fold inward and droop when
touched or shaken, defending themselves from harm, and
re-open a few minutes later called as seismonastic
movement. The plant has 500 species and about 50-70
cm in height.[2] It has been identified as lajjalu in
Ayurveda and found to have high ornamental value. The
leaves of sensitive plant M. pudica can adapt their
closing response to electrical and mechanical
stimulation. The foliage closes during darkness and
reopens in light. This was first studied by French
scientist Jean-Jacques d' Ortous de Mairan3. Due
to Mimosa's unique response to touch, it became an ideal
plant for many experiments regarding plant habituation
and memory. It is used for various medicinal purposes
such as phytochemical studies. Those studies on M.
pudica revealed the presence of alkaloids, non-protein
amino acid (mimosine), flavonoids, C-glycosides,
sterols, terpenoids, tannins, and fatty acids.[4] M.
pudica is known to possess anticonvulsants
antiasthmatic, aphrodisiac, analgesic and antidepressant,
sedative, emetic, and tonic properties and has been used
traditionally in the treatment of piles, alopecia, diarrhea,
dysentery, diuretics, insomnia, tumor, and various
urogenital infections. It helps in managing blood sugar
levels by increasing insulin secretion due to its
antioxidant properties.[5] Lajvanti paste can be used for
quicker wound heal in reducing pain and swelling due to
its antioxidant, antimicrobial anti-inflammatory property.
The use of a paste of Lajvanti on the forehead is also
used to relieve migraine. It is a mysterious element not
only because of its drooping reaction when touched but
also because of its abundant nutrients and therapeutic
properties.[6]
Synonyms[1,4,5,7,8]
Sanskrit: Lajja, English: Sensetive plant, Hindi: Lajalu,
chui mui, Bengali: Lajjavati, Gudjrat: Reesamani, Tamil:
Tottalavadi, Telugu – Attapatti, Kannada: Nachika.
Scientific Classification[9]
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
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ABSTRACT
Mimosa pudica is short-lived evergreen shrub commonly known as the “touch-me-not”
plant, Chui Mui, Shame plant. Its various parts have therapeutic value. The roots
of Mimosa pudica are bitter, astringent, acrid and cooling. They are used in the
treatment of ulcers, inflammations, asthma, diarrhea, urinary complaints and
fistulas. The plant contains the alkaloid mimosine, and extract of its leaves contains
adrenaline-like substance. It has promising pharmacological profile like antibacterial,
antivenom, antifertility, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac etc. The herb has
been used traditionally in the treatment of urogenital disorders, dysentery, sinus, and
also applied on wounds. The juice of freshly crushed leaves is used internally and
externally in piles, to treat cuts and wounds. It is also applied externally to fissures,
skin wounds and ulcers. The hemostatic property of Mimosa pudica helps to control
bleeding in piles. It is commonly distributed in open-spaces, especially road side,
cultivated land and waste area. It has prickly stems and small, fluffy, ball-shaped pink
flowers in summer. Its anti-inflammatory activity reduces inflammation and helps to
control secondary infections. This paper is an attempt to explore and compile different
pharmacognostic aspects of the plant M. pudica.
KEYWORDS: Aphrodisiac, diuretic, Mimosa pudica, seismonastic nyctinastic
movement.
Received on: 25/02/2022
Revised on: 15/03/2022
Accepted on: 05/04/2022
*Corresponding Author
Vijay D. Havaldar
Adarsh Institute of Pharmacy,
Vita, Sangli 415311,
Maharashtra, India.

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Genous: Mimosa
Species: Mimosa pudica
Geographical Distribution[10]
The species is native to the Brazil, Caribbean and South
and Central America, but is now a pantropical weed.
Now it can found in the Southern United States, South
Asia, East Asia, Micronesia, Australia and South Africa
as well found all over India.
Morphology[11]
Colour, Size and Shape
Root: Roots of M. pudica are cylindrical, tapering with
secondary and tertiary branches, varying in length up to
2 cm thick. It has longitudinally wrinkled surface with
hard and woody fracture, more or less rough; grayish-
brown to brown.
Stem: The stem is cylindrical, branched, about 1.5 m in
length and up to 2.5 cm in diameter, longitudinally
grooved, external surface light brown, internal surface
grey. The stem is erect in young plants, but becomes
creeping with age.
Leaf: The plant has bipinnate, compound sessile five
primary leaves with petiolate, stipulate, linear lanceolate.
There are 10–20 pairs of secondary leaflets which are 0.6
- 1.2 cm long, 0.3 - 0.4 cm broad. Leaves are arranged
symmetrically and close after touch hence it is called as
sensitive tree.
Flower: Flowers are pink, spherical in globose head arise
from the leaf axils in mid-summer, 8 - 10 mm in
diameter, 0.5 mm height. It shows radial symmetry and
is four lobed, with four stamens, sessile ovary as well as
numerous ovules. It forms blossoms in rainy seasons.
Pollens have globose to ovoid heads and are circular with
approximately 8 microns diameter and pollinated by
insect and wind.
Fruit: Fruits are leguminous, simple, dry, 1 – 1.6 cm
long, 0.4 – 0.5 cm broad having two to five seeds,
The fruit consists of clusters of two to eight pods, these
being prickly on the margins. The pods break into two to
five segments and contain pale brown seeds about
2.5 mm long.
Seed: Seeds are compressed, oval-elliptic, and brown to
gray in color,. The seeds are 0 - 0.3 cm long and 2.5 mm
broad. The seeds have hard seed coats which
restrict germination.
Odour: Distinct
Taste: Astringent, bitter, pungent
Part of plant used: Whole plant or roots.
Verities
The Mimosa pigra and Mimosa diplotricha have an
upright growth pattern. M. pudica, with a spreading
growth pattern, remains flat and lying on the ground
throughout its lifetime. M. pudica has only 1-2 pairs of
branches while the M. pigra and M. diplotricha var.
diplotricha each has 6 - 16 and 4 - 9 pairs respectively.
Dose[12]
Fresh juice: 10 - 20 ml.
Decoction: 50 - 100 ml in divided doses per day. 10–20 g
of drug for decoction.
Capsule: 1 - 2 capsules daily or as directed by a
physician.
Preparations of Formulations[13]
1. Mimiosa Pudica Poultice to Heal Wounds
For the preparation of poultice, take a handful of the
fresh leaves and pound it along with little quantity of
water to get a paste.
2. Mimosa Pudica Tea for Diarrhea
In order to prepare tea, boil a cup of water along with a
small bunch of freshly picked M. pudica leaves till the
color of the water changes then strain it. This tea can
reduce blood sugar levels, reduce anxiety as well as
depression and also treat stomach ulcer.
3. Mimosa Pudica Oil
Heat a cup of unrefined sesame oil in a pan then add in
1/4 cup of Mimosa pudica leaves and mudakathan
keerai leaves in equal quantities in order to make the oil.
Heat the oil till the sizzling sound stops which indicates
that the moisture is completely removed and then stop
heating. This oil can be used as massage oil for treating
all kinds of aches and pains.
Ayurvedic formulations
1. Kutaja avaleha
2. Ural BPH capsule
3. Selip tablet and syrup
4. Samangadi churna
5. Palsineuron capsules.
6. Lakshadi churna
7. Pilocure tablet
8. Samangaadi Churna
9. Kutajavaleha,
10. Pusyanug Churna,
11. Bhret Gangadhara Churna.
Propagation: It is propagated by seeds and vegetative
methods.
Toxicity: M. pudica does not show any significant
toxicity but sometime it may show dose dependent
constipation.
Precautions: The precautions should be taken while
using Lajvanti in breast feeding mother and in
pregnancy. The patient should be advised to consult a
physician before taking the formulations in such
conditions.
Agriculture Impact:[14] The species can act as a weed
for tropical crops like cotton, soybeans, tomatoes, upland

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rice, bananas, sugarcane, coffee, oil palms, papayas,
coconuts, and rubber. But it may become headache to
farmer due to its thorns and woody roots. The variety
in “Hawaii” is reported to be toxic to livestock. It can
change the physico-chemical properties of the soil at the
place where it invades. It extracts heavy metals such as
copper, lead, tin, and zinc from polluted soils. It can
form root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into
a form that is usable by the plant by nitrogen-fixing
bacteria. The roots of Mimosa pudica create carbon
disulfide, which prevents certain pathogenic
and mycorrhizal fungi from growing within the
plant's rhizosphere. It acts as a food for some animals.
Majors taken to prevent spread of M. pudica
a. Physical Method: burning of plant.
b. Chemical Method: use of herbicide like Picloram and
Triclopyr but these are ineffective when leaves are
closed.
c. Biological Method: Use of coir dust, a waste product
from coconut processing and sheep grazing.
Habitat:[15] M. pudica is mostly found in plantation
crops, disturbed sites, pastures, waste areas, parks, lawns,
gardens and along roadsides.
Seismonastic Movement of leaves[15]
When the plants are shaken they respond immediately by
folding their leaves such leaf movements can be
mediated by specialized motor organs, the pulvini,
a swelling at the base of a leafstalk. The pulvini cells
changes in its turgor pressure due to water moving in and
out of these cells, and multiple ion concentrations play a
role in the manipulation of water movement. The
parenchymatous motor cells in the pulvini are the units
of contractibility in the response; it also contains water
and nutrient conducting strands. Upon some physical
stimulations like touch, wind, heat and extreme light,
electrical signals are triggered, translated to chemical
signal which generate action potential and migration of
potassium from the motor cell to intercellular spaces in
the various pulvini and decreases trigger pressure.
Calcium ions, mainly located in the tannin vacuole
released upon stimulation. This causes contraction and
influence water movement and water accumulate on one
side of the pulvini. Thus, stimulation action potential
generated is transmitted to pulvinus and from there to the
pulvini of other leaflets, which run along the length of
the leaf is called as seismonastic movement of leaves.
Closing of leaves occurs for 4 - 5 seconds but reopening
process requires 600 seconds. The information passed
along can control which genes are turned on and which
genes are turned off, which could act as a mode for long
term memory. It indicates that plants were not ignoring
the dropping stimulation due to exhaustion and has the
capability for habitual learning.
Nyctinastic Movement: After evening leaflets are folded
and reopen at morning. This occurs due to inherent
rhythm or biological clock present in plant. Such
physical behavior is called as nyctinastic movement.
Requirements:[16]
Altitude: It should be less than 1300 m above sea level.
Light: It requires full sun or light shade.
Temperature: Intolerant to frost.
Annual rainfall: 1000 to over 2000 mm
Soil: It can grow on poor soils due to its ability to fix
nitrogen and prefers well drained soils.
Reasons for bending movement of M. Pudica[17]
1. Upon closing of leaves spines on plant appears more
obvious and deter grazing animals for going near
and consume it or it becomes less attractive for
them.
2. Closed leaves desiccate to less transfer of heat and
water to environment.
3. Animals may be afraid of a fast moving plant and
would rather eat a less active one.
4. The sudden movement dislodges harmful insects.
Different mechanisms involved in movement of M.
pudica leaves[15]
1. The bending movement of the pulvinus of M.
pudica is caused by a rapid change in volume of the
abaxial motor cell, in response to various
environmental stimuli. The actin filaments in the
motor cells are fragmented in response to electrical
stimulation. The depolarization of the actin
cytoskeleton in pulvinus motor cells in response to
electrical signals results in increased levels of
calcium. The bending of the pulvinus is retarded by
treatments with actin-affecting reagents and calcium
channel inhibitors.
2. On comparing the cell cytoskeleton by
immunofluorescence analysis before and after
movement and evaluation of the effects of actin and
microtubule targeted drugs by injecting them into
the cut pulvinus, it is seen that fragmentation of
actin filaments and microtubule occurs during
bending, actin cables become loose after bending.
3. On injecting phosphatase inhibitors into several
pulvinus to examine the effects of such inhibitors, it
is seen that changes in actin isoforms, fragmentation
of actin filaments and the bending movements are all
inhibited after injecting a tyrosine phosphatase
inhibitor.
4. Special red cells are found on the axial surface of the
tertiary pulvini of M. pudica. Using anatomical and
electrophysiological techniques it has been
demonstrated that these red cells are the real
mechanoreceptor cells. They can generate receptor
potential following mechanical stimuli and they are
in connection with excitable motor cells.
5. Important proteins like H+-ATPase, aquaporin, and
actin aid in the redistribution of ions in pulvini,
especially during a seismonastic response. H+-
ATPase and aquaporin aid in the direct movement of
water molecules, while actin's role has a more

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biochemical explanation. Actin is composed of
many phosphorylated tyrosine molecules, which
directly correlates to how much the M. pudica leaves
drop.
6. High concentrations of potassium, chloride, and
calcium led to a rapid decrease in water in the
pulvini, which results in the drooping of the M.
pudica leaves. Mitigation of this gradient resulted in
less reaction and movement of the leaves.
7. When the plant is stimulated it releases a surge of
calcium ions that are sensed by the
protein calmodulin which stimulate voltage gated
ion channels and cause electrical signals, which
could be the base of plant‟s long term memory.
8. The plant cells act similarly to neural cells by
creating electrical gradients by opening and closing
ion channels and passing it along cell junctions.
9. Folding movement of leaves interferes with the
process of photosynthesis.
10. It was postulated that the neurohumor acetylcholine
might mediate movement in Mimosa. Since no
acetylcholine is present in Mimosa two amines,
serotonin and norepinephrine were assayed in
various "sensitive” plant. Mimosa contained only
norepinephrine which may be responsible for the
movement.
Research related to Mimosa Pudica[16,17]
Wilhelm Pfeffer, a German botanist during the 17th
century, used Mimosa in one of the first experiments
testing plant habituation.
In 1965, when Holmes and Gruenberg discovered
that Mimosa could distinguish between two stimuli, a
water drop and a finger touch. Their findings also
demonstrated that the habituated behavior was not due to
fatigue since the leaf-folding response returned when
another stimulus was presented.
Electrical signaling experiments were conducted
on Mimosa pudica where 1.3 - 1.5 volts and 2 - 10 µC of
charge acted as the threshold to induce closing of the
leaves.
Further in 2017, Neuroscientist Greg Gage who
connected electrical wiring to Mimosa pudica and linked
to an electrocardiogram. The results showed that M.
pudica causes an action potential in one plant led to an
electrical response leading to response in another plants.
Experiments were carried on animals to compare the
effect of local anaesthetic with the Mimosa pudica.
These experiments showed that anesthetics cause
narcosis of the motor organs, which was observed by the
application of volatile ether, chloroform, carbon
tetrachloride, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, formaldehyde,
and other substances.
In a preclinical study, methanolic extract of Mimosa
pudica showed a significant antidiabetic and anti
hyperlipidemic activities in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats.
In 2018, two research groups from the Universities of
Palermo (Italy) and Lugano (Switzerland) demonstrated
the feasibility of using such plant as a building block for
creating plant-based controllable two-color displays,
exploiting air jets instead of electrical or touch-based
stimulation.
Study regarding investigation of sustained release
properties of M. pudica seed mucilage reveals that as
proportion of mucilage in the matrix increased, release of
drug decreased.
Robin G[18] et al studied the movement of calcium,
potassium, and chloride ions in pulvini cells and
analyzed to understand how ion and water flux affect M.
pudica leaves drooping. They concluded that the ions do
not have similar functional importance in regulation of
pulvinar movements.
Chemical constituents[19,20]
The preliminary phytochemical screening of M.
pudica leaf extract showed the presence of bioactive
components such as terpenoids, acetone extract contains
flavonoids, quinines, phenols, tannins, saponin and
coumarins. Chloroform extract of leaves contain
alkaloids Mimosine, 4-O-gallic acid contains a wide
range of carbon to mineral content. Roots of plant
contain 10% tannins and 55 % ash. It also contain sac-
like structures that release organic and organo sulfur
compounds including SO2, phytosterol, alkaloids, amino
acids, glycoside, and fatty acids methylsulfinic
acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, ethane sulfinic acid,
propane sulfinic acid, 2-mercaptoaniline, S-propyl
propane, 1-thiosulfinate, and thio-formaldehyde. Seeds
contain mucilage made up of D-glucuronic acid and D-
xylose. Benzene extract contains crocetin-dimethyl ester,
tubulin, and green-yellow fatty oils. A new class of phyto
hormone turgorines, which are derivatives of gallic acid
4-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl-6'-sulfate). Fresh tissues give
nor-epinephrine, d-pinitol (3-mono-methyl ether of
inositol) and b-sitosterol.
Uses
M. pudica has a variety of uses in the following
conditions Hypolipidemic:[12] Chloroform extract of M.
pudica shows hypolipidemic activity due to presence of
glycosides, flavonides and alkaloids.
Migraine:[1,5] Migraine is a condition that occurs due to
the aggravation of pitta, dosha. Lajvanti paste is applied
on the forehead to provide relief from migraine due to its
pitta balancing.
High Blood pressure:[7] Crush leaves, prepare juice and
use this 15 ml twice a day.
Piles:[21] Piles are known as arsh in Ayurveda caused due
to unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. In this

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condition, there is impairment in tridoshas, mainly vata
which causes a low digestive fire leading to constipation.
There is swelling in the veins in the rectum area leading
to piles mass and symptoms like pain, itching, or
burning. Lajvanti helps to manage the piles due to its
pitta and kapha balancing properties. It also reduces
burning sensation and discomfort. Decoction made from
roots: 10-15 ml in divided doses per day used in bleeding
piles or 1 tablespoon powder in a glass of milk used
twice daily.
Antipyretics and Antimalarial:[22] Leaf extract of Mimosa
pudica in methanol, ethanol, and chloroform shows
significant reduction in temperature of mice comparing
to the standard drug paracetamol. Some constituents like
terpenoids, flavonoids and alkaloids present in leaf
possess antimalarial activity.
Tooth Ache:[22] Gargle with decoction made from roots
of this plant to maintain mouth hygiene and reduce tooth
ache. The paste of root fried in ghee is applied on caries
teeth for relief from toothache.
Antiviral: It also has activity against Vibrio cholerae and
in control of cholera.
Spasmogenic: Ethanol extracts (50%) of the whole plant
exhibited spasmogenic activity in isolated guinea pig
ileum.
Diuretic: Decoction of leaves of M. pudica in doses of
200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg exhibited diuretic
activity. The drug can be combined as a moderate
diuretic with any modern synthetic diuretic causing
potassium loss.
Contraceptive: It has spermicidal property and reduces
testosterone, therefore used as contraceptive. Its fresh
juice in dose of 10-15 ml is used to treat menorrhagia.
Aqueous extracts of root powder can be used to treat
uterine bleeding dysfunction.
Premature Ejaculation: Mix seeds with equal quantity of
sugar and use 2 tablespoonful with milk at night.
Convulsion: The decoction of M. pudica leaves may be
used intraperitoneally at a dose of 1000-4000 mg/kg
protected mice against pentylene tetrazole and
strychnine-induced seizures.
Diarrhea and Dysentery[23]: Diarrhea and Dysentery
occurs due to improper food, impure water, toxins,
mental stress and weak digestive fire, which aggravates
vatta leading to the formation of ama which may cause
diarrhea. Lajvanti helps to digest ama and improve
digestion, thereby managing diarrhea due to its kapha
balancing property.
Dose: 30 ml Juice from the leaves of this plant and
decoction made from roots helps to treat diarrhea. This
antidiarrheal property is due to presence of tannins and
flavonoids.
Depression: Aqueous extracts from dried leaves of M.
pudica is used as anti-depressant similar to tricyclic anti-
depressants. It increases serotonin level so used as
antidepressant, sedative and in Alzheimer disease to
reduce stress, tiredness and fatigue.
Alopecia:[24] Alopecia generally occurs due to
imbalanced pitta dosha which makes the hair roots weak
and leads to hair fall. Lajvanti helps to prevent the
aggravation of pitta dosha and avoid the weakening of
hair roots, thereby managing unnatural hair fall. Seeds
and other parts of sensitive plant contain mimosine, an
amino acid by promoting new hair cells. Herbal shampoo
of M. pudica extract is used in alopecia.
Helminthes: Alcoholic extract and aqueous extracts of
seeds shows significantly paralysis and death of worms
in dose dependent manner. While petroleum ether
extracts show weak anthelmintic effect. Decoction made
from root and the leaf paste with honey is also prescribed
intestinal worms.
Snake bite: The aqueous root extract of M. pudica dose
dependently inhibited the hyaluronidase and protease
activities of Indian snake‟s venom. An aqueous extract
of M. pudica root inhibits the activity of cobra venom.
Lajvanti helps to neutralize the venom in the blood
before it reaches the target site, thus acting as anti-
venom.
Uplift the breast: Paste of this plant along with
ashwagandha roots is used to avoid surgery and uplift the
breast.
Uterine tonic:[25] It is used to maintain the balance of the
hormones in body and thus gives relief from the heavy
bleeding of menstruation. Grind the leaves of this plant
and filter out the juice, mix it with honey and drink this
once or twice a day. Now it can be used to control child
birth.
Spasmogenic: Ethanol extracts (50%) of the whole plant
exhibited spasmogenetic activity in isolated guinea pig
ileum.
Diuretic: Decoction of leaves of M. pudica in doses of
200, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg exhibited diuretic
activity. The drug can be used as a moderate diuretic by
combining with any modern synthetic diuretic.
Contraceptive:[26] It has spermicidal property and reduces
testosterone, therefore used as contraceptive. It‟s fresh
juice in dose of 10 - 15 ml is used to treat menorrhagia.
Aqueous extracts of root powder can be used to treat
uterine bleeding dysfunction.
Premature Ejaculation: Mix seeds with equal quantity of
sugar and 2 tablespoonful used at night with milk.

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Antifertility: Air-dried M. pudica roots methanolic
extract prolongs the estrous cycle, disturbs the secretion
of gonadotropin hormone and decreases follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) level thus indicating
antifertility effect.
Aphrodisiac: The ethanolic extract of roots of M.
pudica Linn. produces a significant increase in the
aphrodisiac activity of normal male mice, without any
adverse effects.
Cough and asthma:[27] It is also used to treat whooping
cough, asthma, chronic respiratory disorders. Juice of
this plant 15 ml twice a day.
Insect bite: Grind the leaves and stem of this plant on
affected area twice a day.
Antihepatotoxic and antioxidant potential: Methanolic
leaf extract of M. pudica shows antioxidant activity and
ethanolic extract shows effective against carbon
tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.
Antimicrobial:[29] M. pudica whole plant extract in
petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and
water possesses good antimicrobial activity against Gram
positive and Gram negative bacterial. This activity is due
to presence of phytoconstituents like terpenoids,
flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, quinine, tannins,
saponins, coumarin and alkaloids.
Antifungal: The methanolic extract and aqueous extract
of 100, 200, and 500 mg were tested against different
fungal pathogens for their antifungal activity.
Dose: 30 ml juice early morning and evening for 7-10
days.
Kidney stones[30]: The decoction of the root in a dose of
45-50 ml is taken to get relief from renal stones, urinary
complaints.
Analgesic and Antiinflammation[31]: The ethanolic
extracts shows significant anti-inflammatory activity and
useful particularly in acute and chronic inflammation due
to presence of flavonoids.
Anti-diabetic[32]: Ethanolic extract of leaves has been
proven to possess antidiabetic activity due to alteration
of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes activity and
insulin secretion.
Minor cut and Wound: Root paste is used to get relief
from wounds. The paste of root fried in castor oil is
applied on deep cut wounds to stop bleeding and for
healing. It reduces nasal bleeding and inflammation
which is probably due to phenols constituents. Juice from
crushed leaves or paste of plant applied on fresh wound
to stop bleeding and to treat skin disorder and adding
sesame oil to it is used as antiseptic. In Western
medicine, Mimosa root can be used to treat hemorrhage
and urinary infection and to purify blood. The warmed
leaf paste is applied around furuncle, abscess, and boils
to burst and release of pus, itches for quick healing.
Some other Uses[15]
1. Uterine prolapse, the leaves together with leaves
from other medicinal plants is used in treating
hemorrhoids and urinary infections and relieving the
symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.
2. The juice is used in sinus, sores, piles, and fistula,
burning sensation of eye, skin diseases.
3. Decoction made from roots is used in syphilis,
leprosy, venereal diseases, insect bite, insomnia,
nervousness, and piles.
4. Its paste should be applied as politics to reduce
vaginal or anal prolapsed and to treat fracture of
bone.
5. Because of ability of Mimosa to promote healthy
cell growth, it is used in shampoos, creams,
capsules, and soaps it also helps in collagen
formation and regeneration of new skin cells.
6. In Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, Mimosa
pudica root is used to treat jaundice, leprosy,
leucoderma, and blood disease.
CONCLUSION
This review presents a brief biological profile of M.
pudica. It has been used in the various traditional system
of medicine since ancient times to treat a wide range of
diseases. The literature claims that this herb has
significant therapeutics profile. It can be used for
developing new medicines in pharmaceutical industries
as it is economical and due to its easy availability. But
there is a need to give more emphasis on exploration of
their natural resources like medicinal plants for the
benefits of humanity.
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