About Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC.
Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC., also called little tree plant, or Mukkutti in Malayalam, is a plant species belonging to the genus Biophytum in the family Oxalidaceae. It is commonly found in Kerala, the wetlands of Nepal, tropical India, and other Southeast Asian countries. It is used for medicinal purposes in Nepal and India, and it is also a common weed in disturbed environments. When grown in captivity, Biophytum sensitivum is particularly sensitive to spider mites. Scientific investigations have been carried out on the plant's chemistry, biological activities, and medicinal uses. Like Mimosa pudica, the leaflets of Biophytum sensitivum can move rapidly in response to mechanical stimulation such as touch. Chemical analyses show that parts of this plant are rich in compounds including amentoflavone, cupressuflavone, and isoorientin. Traditional uses of the plant's extracts hold that they have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, radioprotective, chemoprotective, antiangiogenetic, wound-healing, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective properties.
