L-Mimosine from Koa hoale seeds

L-mimosine [β-N (3-hydroxy-4-pyridone)-α-amino propionic acid] is a non-protein amino acid and is a vital component of tropical legumes, such as Leucaena glauca and other legumes belonging to Mimosa spp. Structurally L-mimosine resembles dihydroxyphenylalanine except 3,4-dihydroxy-phenyl ring replaced by 3-hydroxy-4-pyridone ring.

L-Mimosine from Koa hoale seeds has been used to study its anti-inflammatory effect in chronic inflammatory response (potassium permanganate - induced chronic granuloma).

L-Mimosine is a plant amino acid and potential inhibitor of the cell cycle giving rise to growth arrest in G1-phase. It is an iron chelator that inhibits DNA replication in mammalian cells. L-Mimosine has been shown to promote apoptosis in xenotransplanted human pancreatic cancer. L-Mimosine stabilizes hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and stimulates the expression of B-cell translocation gene 2 (Btg2) and N-myc downstream regulated gene 1 (Ndrg1) at the transcriptional level, which reduce cell proliferation of prostate carcinoma cells in vitro. L-Mimosine stabilizes HIF-1 through the inhibition of prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) which target HIF-1 through degradation. The mechanism of inhibition is likely through the chelation of Fe²⁺ bound to the active site of PHD which is required for enzymatic activity. Mimosine inhibits cell cycle progression via iron chelation in MDA-MB-453 human breast cancer cells. Mimosine, hinder folate metabolism in cell-specific manner.