Pharmacognosy: What is it?

The German botanist Seidler came up with the fancy term “pharmacognosy” to refer to the study of chemical substances that may be obtained from natural sources. He focuses on the medical applications of these chemicals. Given that many historical societies used and studied naturally occurring chemicals, the fundamental ideas of this field of research are likely as old as civilization itself.

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Pharmacognosy can be thought of as “ethnobotany” developed scientifically and chemically. The study of traditional medicine used by shamans or village doctors from various indigenous and ethnic groups is known as ethnobotany. These groups frequently experiment with various plant, mineral, and animal extracts to determine whether they have positive or negative effects on human health.

But unlike shamans, pharmacognosy now extracts and identifies the chemical compounds present in plants and animals using a wide range of modern tools and sophisticated techniques. Finding a substance’s possible medical applications is the next stage of pharmacognosy once it has been extracted. Cell cultures or animal toxicity tests are frequently used in the lab for this portion of the study.

Which chemicals are present in Mimosa hostilis?

Mimosa hostilis has been a part of American traditional medicine recipes since prehistoric times.

Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd) Poiret is the tree’s scientific name.

and the term Mimosa hostilis is employed.

The hostilis tree, also known as the tepazcohit tree in Mexico, has several advantages. The peel is a frequent element in skin care products and has been included in many traditional medicine formulations. We can identify the components with beneficial medicinal or cosmetic qualities if we fully comprehend the pharmacognosy of Mimosa hostilis. This will then enable us to separate these essential components and add them to the mixture we will create in order to maximize the benefits of wood’s miracles.

The compounds included in KMA (Mimosa Hostilis Bark) are briefly described below, along with any known or possible applications. This is not a comprehensive list, and I want to update and enhance this website as I learn new facts.

Saponins

Plants frequently include a class of chemicals called saponins. Their pharmacological characteristics differ greatly from those of glycosides (sugars), despite their structural similarities. Antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiviral, and antitumor are a few examples of these qualities. Because of this, saponins are frequently used to manufacture soaps and detergents. However, as I said above, the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries have also employed and researched saponins extensively due to their potentially beneficial qualities.

Steroid saponins and triterpenoid saponins are the two broad categories into which saponins fall. Thus far, K.M.H. has yielded four triterpenoid saponins and three different steroidal saponins.

Beta-sitoserol-3-0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl, campesterol, and stigmasterol (steroidal saponins)

In 1993, the stem bark of MH was used to extract these three steroidal saponins. To the best of our knowledge, none of these steroidal saponins have had their precise pharmacological effects thoroughly studied.

Lupaol and Mimonosides A, B, and C are Triterpenoid Saponins.

The mimosa hostilis tree is where the mimonoside saponins were initially found, thus their name. It has been demonstrated that they can both increase the growth of cultured mouse cells and have immunomodulatory effects. Although it has not yet been scientifically verified, these saponins are thought to contribute to skin healing abilities.

Mimosa hostilis also produced luteol, another triterpenoid saponin. Compared to its other triterpenoid cousins, luphol has been the subject of greater research and has demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic qualities.

Flavonoids

A broad class of plant chemicals called flavonoids is well-known for having potent antioxidant qualities. Flavonoids come in up to six different varieties, each with unique structural and therapeutic characteristics: One well-known class of flavonoids with remarkable antioxidant qualities is anthocyanins, also referred to as tannins. It has been demonstrated that certain flavonoids have potent phytotoxic or even anti-inflammatory qualities in addition to being effective antioxidants.

The Mimosa hostilis plant has already yielded more than a dozen distinct kinds of flavonoids. Nevertheless, despite their enormous promise, little is now understood about their pharmacological effects.

The following are a few flavonoids that were isolated from Hostilis:

Tenuflorin A, B, and C

Kukulkan Santina and A & B.

Alkaloids of indole:

The psychedelic properties of indole alkaloids have garnered a lot of interest. The amino acid tryptophan is converted in both plants and animals to yield these compounds. One of the best examples of an indole alkaloid that humans generate and that functions as a neuromodulator in the brain is serotonin. Interestingly, mimosa hostilis plants may also be used to extract serotonin.