Mitigating type 2 diabetes: Scientific validation of Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. and Mimosa pudica L. as substitutes for Cassia mimosoides L. in ayurvedic medicine

The Ayurvedic concept of 'pratinidhi dravya' (substitute drugs) offers a systematic approach to replaces scarce ingredients in traditional formulations with botanically or pharmacologically similar alternatives. This practice aims to maintain therapeutic efficacy and safety while preventing adulteration. However, scientific validation of these substitutes is essential. This study investigates the substitution of the rare species Cassia mimosoides L. (CM) with two more readily available species recommended in Ayurveda: Biophytum sensitivum (L.) DC. (BS) and Mimosa pudica L. (MP). The research focuses on their potential use in the popular antidiabetic Ayurvedic medicine Katakakhadiradi Kashayam, specifically examining their antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Our findings revealed that the substituted species, BS and MP, exhibit a remarkable richness in phenolic and flavonoid content compared to the species CM, indicating their potent antioxidant capabilities (IC₅₀ values: CM: 19.55 μg/ml, BS: 60.38 μg/ml, MP: 39.49 μg/ml). LC-MS/MS profiling and quantification indicate a significant amount of different pharmacologically active polyphenols in the three species. Among the identified compounds, orientin (CM-EA: 44.362 mg/kg, BS-EA: 20.528 mg/kg, MP-EA: 34.094 mg/kg) and isoorientin (CM-EA: 85.022 mg/kg, BS-EA: 25.168 mg/kg, MP-EA: 45.035 mg/kg) were the major compounds present in substantial quantity in all three species. Additionally, shikimic acid and chlorogenic acid were present in higher concentrations in the BS-EA and MP-EA extracts. Furthermore, these species demonstrated significant activity against α-glucosidase in various solvent extracts, with IC₅₀ values of 16.44 μg/ml for CM, 56.65 μg/ml for MP, and 69.25 μg/ml for BS, suggesting their promising role in managing diabetes mellitus. These findings support the efficacy of BS and MP as substitutes for CM in managing diabetes and oxidative stress, emphasizing the importance of scientific validation in herbal medicine substitution and adulteration prevention.