A Comprehensive Review of the Ethnotraditional Uses and Biological and Pharmacological Potential of the Genus Mimosa

Abstract

The Mimosa genus belongs to the Fabaceae family of legumes and consists of about 400 species distributed all over the world. The growth forms of plants belonging to the Mimosa genus range from herbs to trees. Several species of this genus play important roles in folk medicine. In this review, we aimed to present the current knowledge of the ethnogeographical distribution, ethnotraditional uses, nutritional values, pharmaceutical potential, and toxicity of the genus Mimosa to facilitate the exploitation of its therapeutic potential for the treatment of human ailments. The present paper consists of a systematic overview of the scientific literature relating to the genus Mimosa published between 1931 and 2020, which was achieved by consulting various databases (Science Direct, Francis and Taylor, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science, SciFinder, Wiley, Springer, Google, The Plant Database). More than 160 research articles were included in this review regarding the Mimosa genus. Mimosa species are nutritionally very important and several species are used as feed for different varieties of chickens. Studies regarding their biological potential have shown that species of the Mimosa genus have promising pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, wound-healing, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antinociceptive, antiepileptic, neuropharmacological, toxicological, antiallergic, antihyperurisemic, larvicidal, antiparasitic, molluscicidal, antimutagenic, genotoxic, teratogenic, antispasmolytic, antiviral, and antivenom activities. The findings regarding the genus Mimosa suggest that this genus could be the future of the medicinal industry for the treatment of various diseases, although in the future more research should be carried out to explore its ethnopharmacological, toxicological, and nutritional attributes.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties of Various E. senegalensis Extracts

“…In addition, scientific consistency of all medicinal uses is supported by numerous studies highlighting the anticancer [10], antihypertensive, antidiabetic [11], antiinflammatory, antiplasmodial [12], antibacterial [13,14], anti-HIV [15], antiparasitic [16], antioxidant [17,18] and enzyme inhibitory [19,20] properties of extracts and/or secondary metabolites isolated from this plant. Similar broad range of pharmacological activities has been observed with respect to the Mimosa genus [21,22].…”

Phytochemistry and Diverse Pharmacology of Genus Mimosa: A Review

“…This review covered the several review articles as well in the discussion regarding this genus [ 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ]. Recently, our group reported the ethotraditional uses and pharmacological potential of the crude extracts of different species of the genus Mimosa [ 81 ]. In this review, we comprehensively reported the secondary metabolites isolated from the genus Mimosa and their pharmacological potential along with future perspectives.…”

Evaluation of Different Extraction Methods on the Phenolic Profile and the Antioxidant Potential of Ceratonia siliqua L. Pods Extracts

“…Moreover, the leaves and the bark of carob were described as having an excellent effect when used as antidiabetic agents [ 5 ]. As already described for several medicinal plants [ 6 , 7 , 8 ], in vitro, and in vivo studies of the antioxidant capacities of carob proved their inhibiting potential, related to their phenolic compounds [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]; moreover, carob has a great potential to be used in agri-food industries due to its phytochemical constituents with functional, flavoring properties through its characteristic strong aroma, which persists even after treatment [ 12 ]. This exceptional quality may be clarified by the presence of acids, esters, and aldehydes/ketones produced from carob fruit and powder, which are biogenic volatile organic composites that promote plant growth, breeding, protection [ 13 , 14 ] and nutrition benefits [ 15 ].…”