Exploring the chemistry of natural products and biological properties of mimosa linnaeus genus (FABACEAE-MIMOSOIDEAE)

Abstract

The Mimosa Linnaeus genus (Fabaceae), comprises about 540 species distributed mainly in the Neotropical region, predominantly in the South America and Mexico. Mimosa L. species are ubiquitous in the several biomes due to their great environmental adaptation abilities. The present review describes the compilation of the chemical aspects and the biological activities from the genus Mimosa L.. The chemical survey showed the biodiversity of metabolites, represented by 19 species and 199 substances, divided into alkaloids, isoprenoids, saponins, and phenolic compounds, with predominance of two flavonoid subclasses: flavones and flavonols. The evaluation of the extracts, fractions, and isolated substances from different botanical material of Mimosa L. species showed a high potential for antioxidant applications, due to the reactivity of phenolic compounds against free radicals. In addition, the presence of seven indole alkaloids justifies the use of Mimosa plants in mystic-religious ceremonies with hallucinogenic purposes. Therefore, the records of the natural products and biological activities are important accesses to the knowledge of the biodiversity of Mimosa L. species.