Abstract
Blood pressure lowering effect of Mimosa pudica induced by dieresis was reported earlier. As a diuretic it enhances urine outflow, decreases plasma volume, venous return; and thereby, reduce blood pressure. Besides the diuretic agent, some other blood pressure lowering substance may also be present in Mimosa pudica. Present study was undertaken to reveal the presence of antioxidants and nitrite in Mimosa pudica extract, which may help to reduce blood pressure. Methanolic extract of Mimosa pudica (using 80% methanol) was lyophilised to obtain dried Mimosa pudica Extract (MPE). For Total phenolic content estimation Folin’s method and for estimation of flavonoids, Aluminium chloride method were followed. The radical scavenging and superoxide anion radical scavenging activity were measured following standardised methods. Nitrite content of MPE at different dilutions (10-100 µl in methanol) was measured following standardised procedure keeping sodium nitrite as the standard. Present study noted presence of favonoids and phenolic compounds and also noted antioxidant property in the aforesaid extract that exhibited DPPH+ and superoxide scavenging activities. Besides that, this study also revealed formation of nitrites in the extract of Mimosa pudica in a dose dependent manner. Nitrite is the precursor of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a potent vasodilator that decreases blood pressure. Present study indicated the presence of both antioxidants and nitrites in Mimosa pudica extract; both of which have blood pressure lowering properties indicating it as a blood pressure lowering agent; and helpful in the maintenance of vascular health.
Highlights
Mimosa pudica L, commonly known as Lajjabati or touch-me-not plant is a diffuse prickly under-shrub belonging to family Mimosaceae [1]
Present study indicated the presence of both antioxidants and nitrites in Mimosa pudica extract; both of which have blood pressure lowering properties indicating it as a blood pressure lowering agent; and helpful in the maintenance of vascular health
The coarse powder was extracted with hydro-methanol (20-80%) in soxhlet apparatus at 600C for 6 hours and solvent was removed under reduced pressure to obtain dried Mimosa pudica Extract (MPE)[14]
Summary
Mimosa pudica L, commonly known as Lajjabati or touch-me-not plant is a diffuse prickly under-shrub belonging to family Mimosaceae [1]. Among the variousmedicinal properties (e.g., wound healing, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, hypoglycaemic etc.) of Mimosa pudica,[2,3,4,5,6,7]anti-hypertensive and diuretic effects are some of the salient ones [8]. Decrease plasma volume and venous return, decrease cardiac workload, oxygen demand and blood pressure [9]. Blood pressure can be lowered by decreased peripheral resistance. Any substance that can cause vasodilatation, lowers peripheral resistance andthereby blood pressure. Reduction of oxidative stress by anti-oxidants helps to prevent hypertension, as indicated byprevious studies.[10,11]Consumption of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals containing antioxidants, showed blood pressure lowering effect[12]
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