Touch-Me-Not, Heal-Me-More: A Comprehensive Review of Mimosa pudica

Mimosa pudica Linn., belonging to Fabaceae family is well known by its unique seismonastic movement of leaves and a variety of therapeutic uses. The plant has a wide range of pharmacological effects, and it is traditionally used in many indigenous medicinal systems, which are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and wound-healing. Phytochemistry studies have shown the existence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides which are the major causes of its bioactivity. The current review gives an in-depth review of the botanical properties, phytochemical compounds, pharmacological studies, and ethnomedical uses of Mimosa pudica. Moreover, it outlines the opportunities in future studies to understand its molecular pathways and confirm its clinical effectiveness to be used in therapy.