Appraisal of acute oral toxicity of glucuronoxylan hydrogel from Mimosa pudica seeds

Glucuronoxylan hydrogel (GXH) isolated from M. pudica seeds was assessed for acute toxicology in albino mice that were alienated into four groups. Three groups, i.e., II, III and IV received GXH at a dose of 1, 2 and 5 g/kg, respectively while group I was retained untreated and provided routine diet. After administering GXH, mice were examined for vomiting, diarrhea, allergy and tremors for 8 h. All animals were carefully observed for food and water consumption at 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14 day after administering GXH. At the end of studies, blood samples were drawn for investigation of hematological and biochemical parameters. All animals were sacrificed, relative body weight of vital organs was calculated and their histopathology was studied. It was concluded that there was insignificant difference in body weight, behavioral pattern, food and water intake among treated and control groups. Haematology and biochemistry of blood samples from all groups were found analogous. Histopathological evaluation of vital body organs exhibited no lesions in all groups. Ocular, cardiac and dermal safety of GXH was also established on albino rabbits.

Abstinencia espontánea en ratones tratados con Mimosa pudica / Spontaneous abstinence in mice treated with Mimosa pudica

La planta Mimosa pudica (moriviví, como comúnmente se le conoce), ha sido empleada tradicionalmente como anestésico, antidepresivo, sedante, antialopécico, entre otras propiedades farmacológicas; sin embargo, en los últimos años su consumo se ha convertido en excesivo. Con el objetivo de conocer el potencial adictivo de esta planta se desarrolló un ensayo de abstinencia espontánea en ratones de la línea NMRI, llevado a cabo durante 20 días, para lo cual se administró una dosis de 1 000 mg/kg de peso de la decocción de la planta 2 veces al día, por vía oral. Como control negativo y positivo se emplearon agua y morfina (32 mg/kg de peso por vía intraperitoneal, respectivamente). Finalmente se comprobó que dicha decocción mostró signos de dependencia física y los animales en estudio manifestaron disminución del peso corporal y aumento de la temperatura rectal con respecto al control negativo, una vez suspendida la administración. Por su parte, estos signos fueron más significativos en el control positivo, de manera que se puede plantear que la decocción de la planta Mimosa pudica a la dosis empleada evidenció signos de dependencia física.

The plant Mimosa pudica (moriviví, as it is commonly known), has been traditionally used as anesthetic, antidepressant, sedative, antialopecic, among other pharmacological properties; however, in the last years its use has become excessive. With the objective of knowing the addictive potential of this plant a trial of spontaneous abstinence was developed in mice of the strain NMRI, carried out during 20 days, for which a dose of 1 000 mg/kg of weight of the decoction of the plant was administered orally twice at day. As negative and positive control water and morphine were used (32 mg/kg of weight intraperitoneally, in both cases). Finally, it was shown that this decoction showed signs of physical dependence and the animals in study showed a decrease of the body weight and an increase of the rectal temperature with regard to the negative control, once the decoction was discontinued. On the other hand, these signs were more significant in the positive control, so that it can be stated that the decoction of the plant Mimosa pudica evidenced signs of physical dependence with the used dose.

Lesões traumáticas de pele causadas pelos espinhos de Mimosa pudica e Mimosa debilis em equídeos / Traumatic skin injuries caused by the thorns of Mimosa pudica and Mimosa debilis in Equidae

Foram realizadas pesquisas sobre a natureza e causa de lesões de pele em equídeos em uma propriedade no município de Castanhal, região Nordeste do Estado do Pará. Foram realizadas visitas técnicas, estudos epidemiológicos, coletas de sangue, biópsias de pele afetada e a inspeção da pastagem. O estudo incluiu 25 equídeos, dos quais 14 machos e 11 fêmeas, de seis meses e oito anos de idade. Os animais apresentaram lesões ulcerativas, de bordos irregulares, na cabeça (narinas, focinho, lábios superiores e inferiores e chanfro), na cavidade oral (vestíbulo bucal e gengiva) e nos membros (boletos, metacarpos e metatarsos e articulação escápulo-umeral). No exame histopatológico foram observados focos de erosões cutâneas, caracterizados por perda e necrose da epiderme, com espongiose, degeneração vesicular da epiderme remanescente e leve infiltrado inflamatório na derme subjacente, constituído predominantemente por macrófagos e, em menor grau, eosinófilos. Na inspeção da pastagem, constituída de Brachiaria humidicola, foi constatada grande invasão de duas plantas providas de espinhos, Mimosa pudica e Mimosa debilis, ambas da família Leg. Mimosoideae. Concluiu-se, que as lesões de pele foram causadas pela ação traumática dos espinhos de Mimosa pudica e Mimosa debilis.(AU)

Studies on the nature and cause of skin lesions in horses on a farm in the county of Castanhal, northeastern Para, Brazil were conducted. These were visits to the farm, epidemiological studies, blood sample collections, skin biopsies, and inspection of the pasture. The study included 25 Equidae, 14 males and 11 females, six months to eight years old. The animals showed ulcerative lesions of irregular borders on the head (nose, muzzle, upper and lower lips), in the oral cavity (buccal vestibule and gum) and on the limbs (billets, metacarpals and metatarsals and scapular-humeral joint). The histopathological examination revealed foci of cutaneous erosions with epidermal necrosis, spongiosis and vesicular degeneration of the remaining epidermis, and mild inflammatory infiltrate in the underlying dermis, consisting predominantly of macrophages and, to a lesser degree, eosinophils. The inspection of the pasture, which consisted of Brachiaria humidicola, revealed a heavy invasion by two plants provided with spines, Mimosa pudica and Mimosa debilis, of the Leguminosae Mimosoideae family. It was concluded that the skin lesions were caused by traumatic action of the spines of Mimosa pudica and Mimosa debilis.(AU)

Efficacy of tannins from Mimosa pudica and tannic acid in neutralizing cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom

In the present study, the effectiveness of Mimosa pudica tannins (MPT) in neutralizing the lethality of Naja kaouthia venom was compared with commercially derived tannins. Preincubation of MPT with N. kaouthia venom maintained 100 percent survival of mice after 24 hours. The mouse group in which there was no preincubation, no protection against the effects of the venom was observed. M. pudica tannin was found to be more effective in neutralizing the lethality of N. kaouthia venom when compared to commercial tannic acid. Two protein spots were missing in the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) of the MPT treated mouse indicating the down-regulation of venom proteins. The results from this study indicated that tannins obtained from M. pudica are better than tannic acid in neutralizing the lethality of N. kaouthia venom in vitro. However, further investigations are required to establish that M. pudica has potential for treating N. kaouthia snakebites.(AU)

Efecto del extracto alcohólico de mimosa pudica (mimosa) sobre la fertilidad en ratas / Effect of Mimosa pudica (mimosa)'s alcoholic extract on rat fertility

Objetivos: Determinar si la administración por vía oral del extracto etanólico de las hojas de Mimosa pudica (mimosa) modifica la fertilidad en ratas normales. Diseño: Estudio experimental. Institución: Instituto de Investigaciones Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos y Hospital Nacional Hipólito Unanue, Lima, Perú. Material biológico: Ratas albinas, y hojas de Mimosa pudica. Métodos: Cuarentiocho animales fueron divididos aleatoriamente en grupos de seis animales cada uno. El primero fue control, con solución de suero fisiológico 5 mL/kg, y los siguientes recibieron extracto vía oral 50, 250 y 500 mg/kg, durante 21 días. Cada grupo consideró 6 hembras y 6 machos juntos. Los animales fueron sacrificados para observar la presencia de fetos en el útero. A las hembras se les extrajo muestra de sangre, para conocer el nivel de FSH, estradiol y progesterona, expresándose en µg/dL. El dosaje hormonal se realizó por el método de electroquimioluminiscencia. En el estudio de antiimplantación se usó 2 grupos de 5 ratas hembras grávidas; un grupo recibió agua y el otro recibió el extracto de la planta, en dosis de 600 mg/kg, durante 10 días. Principales medidas de resultados: Disminución del número de fetos y niveles hormonales. Resultados: Los flavonoides, compuestos fenólicos y taninos estuvieron en mayor cantidad en el extracto etanólico. Las ratas que recibieron 250 mg/kg presentaron mayor número de fetos, seguidas por las de 50 mg/kg; en tanto que con la dosis de 500 mg/kg disminuyó el número de fetos comparativamente con las ratas que no recibieron la planta; hubo incremento de FSH y de progesterona. Conclusiones: En condiciones experimentales se muestra que en dosis de hasta 250 mg/kg aumenta la fertilidad, pero a 500 mg se reduce la fertilidad en ratas normales.

Objectives: To determine whether oral administration of Mimosa pudica (mimosa) leaves ethanol extract modifies fertility in normal rats. Design: Experimental study. Setting: Instituto de Investigaciones Clinicas, Facultad de Medicina, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Hospital Nacional Hipolito Unanue, Lima, Peru. Biological material: Albino rats and Mimosa pudica leaves. Methods: Forty-eight animals were divided randomly into groups of six animals each. The first was control and received saline solution 5 mL/kg and the others 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg oral extracts for 28 days. Each group considered 6 males and 6 females together. The animals were killed to observe the presence of fetuses in uterus. FSH, estradiol and progesterone levels were determined in µg /dL in female ratsÆ blood samples and hormone dosage was done by electrochemoluminiscence method. In the antiimplantation study 2 groups of 5 pregnant female rats were used; one group received water and the other 600 mg/kg plant extract doses for 10 days. Main outcome measures: Reduction in the number of fetuses and hormone levels. Results: Flavonoids, phenolics and tannins were in larger quantity in the ethanol extract. Rats that received 250 mg/kg showed a greater number of fetuses followed by 50 mg/kg, while 500 mg/kg dose decreased the number of fetuses as compared with rats not given the plant; FSH and progesterone showed increased levels. Conclusions: In experimental conditions Mimosa pudicaÆs 250 mg/kg doses increased fertility but 500 mg reduced fertility in normal rats.

Lesões de pele causadas pelos espinhos de Mimosa pudica (Leg. Mimosoideae) nos membros de bovinos e ovinos no estado do Pará / Cutaneous lesions of the legs caused by the thorns of Mimosa pudica (Leg. Mimosoideae) in cattle and sheep in the State of Pará

Foi estudada uma doença em bovinos e ovinos caracterizada por lesões ulcerativas e granulomatosas da pele dos membros. Os estudos epidemiológicos e patológicos permitiram concluir que essas lesões são causadas pelos espinhos de Mimosa pudica (Leg. Mimosoideae). A doença foi observada somente em pastagens acentuadamente infestadas e os animais se recuperaram rapidamente após retirados destes pastos. Nos ovinos as lesões atingiam partes mais altas dos membros do que nos bovinos, devido ao seu menor porte.

A condition of cattle and sheep characterized by ulcerous and granulomatous skin lesions of the legs was studied. Epidemiological data and the nature of the lesions indicate that they are caused by the thorns of Mimosa pudica (Leg. Mimosoideae). The disease was observed only in pastures largely infested by the plant, and animals recover quickly when moved from them.