Pharmacognosy of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret.

A chemical investigation of the bark of Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poiret, performed in our laboratory, allowed the isolation and identification of three new triterpenoid saponins (mimonosides A, B and C), three steroid saponins (3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl campesterol, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl stigmasterol and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl beta-sitosterol) together with lupeol, campesterol, stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol. The three new triterpenoid saponins were subjected to in vitro biological tests (immunomodulation and proliferation) using different animal and human cells in culture. The results of these tests contribute to explain the traditional use of this plant material.