Introduction
India is one of the world's 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots, and it is home to four of them: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and Sundaland. India is not only rich in floristic diversity, but also in traditional knowledge of drug plants, which are mentioned and frequently used in the traditional Indian medical systems, Ayurveda and Siddha. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) survey, approximately 80% of the global population relies on traditional medicinal herbs to meet their basic health care needs (Krishnaraju et al., 2005).
The discovery of therapeutic plants in folk and traditional herbal medicines has been greatly aided by information obtained from ethnic groups about traditional indigenous medicines. Plants have traditionally served mankind admirably as reservoirs of remedies in the prevention and treatment of many chronic ailments in humans and their livestock (Nonita & Mylene, 2010). Herbal medicines are becoming more popular because they have fewer side effects, which is why villagers continue to explore plants for ethnomedicinal purposes.
Ethnobotanical research is critical for understanding how traditional communities use plants for medicinal purposes and for preserving folk culture (Sebastian & Bhandari, 1984; Sebastian & Bhandari, 1988). Findings from ethnobotanical research help to reveal the relationship between modern and traditional knowledge, making it an important means for learning the biological properties of medicinal plants (Macêdo et al., 2020).Jain, Jain, and Singh (2009) made an important contribution when they described the Ethnobotanical Survey of the Sariska and Siliserh Regions of Rajasthan's Alwar District.
These indigenous tribes and ethnic races have their own traditions, customs, specters, religious events, medicines, agricultural practices, and so on. Because they have a tremendous opportunity to explore flora resources in the deepest points of rarely reached areas, these ethnic tribes use a wide range of cultivated and wild plants to cure a variety of illnesses. Their understanding of the flora in their surroundings supplements pharmaceutical or phytochemical knowledge (Meena & Yadav, 2010; Rana, Sharma, & Paliwal, 2014).
Arid States of India
Rajasthan is one of India's largest states, located in the country's north-western region. Rajasthan, popularly known as the "Land of Kings and Kingdoms," is a dome of cultural heritage located in the northwest of the country, sharing an international boundary with Pakistan in the west and north-west and domestic boundaries with Punjab, Haryana, and UP in the north and north-east, UP and MP in the east and south-east, and Gujarat in the south-west. Their architecture and way of life reflect the richness and enrichment of their culture.
Because of the state's varying climatic conditions and rainfall distribution, it is relatively dry and nearly infertile in nature. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 8 °C to 46 °C. Although the state's extreme environmental supremacy did not limit its versatility, it is estimated to have a population of 5, 64, 73,122 crore people. Approximately 80% of the population lives in villages where traditional medicine is practised. A large number of tribal people from various tribal gatherings live in Rajasthan's southern region. For treatment, these people rely heavily on their ancient healing methods, which are passed down through generations through oral communication with no historical evidence. They are well-versed in plant ethno-biological properties and rely heavily on the forest for their daily needs. Forest resources have historically been the sole source of revenue for meeting basic needs such as fodder, fuel, food, and medicine. They have amassed extensive knowledge in the care of their livestock using herbs, as well as the sustainable use of plant species native to their territories.
Rajasthan's major tribal groups
Rajasthan is home to several tribal societies, including the Bhil, Bhil-Meena, Damors, Dhanakas, Garasias, Kathodias, Kolis, Meenas, Nayaks, and Sahariyas. All of the tribal regions mentioned above have one thing in common: they are all isolated, which has hampered the development and progress of the people. Aside from that, the state is home to a number of nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes, as well as unincorporated communities.
Flora of Rajasthan vs distribution of Fabaceae family
Even though Rajasthan is mostly desert, it has a diverse flora. The natural vegetation in this state is of the Northern Desert Thorn Forest type. This vegetation can be found in the form of small clumps scattered throughout the state. As you move from west to east, the size and density of these patches increase (Kotia, Solanki, & Reddy, 2020; Sharma, Balakrishna, Rao, & Hajra, 1993).
The eastern side of the Aravali range has sparse forest cover. It accounts for only 9% of the total state area. As a result, the desert has little vegetation. Stunted-growth trees, grass, and thorny shrubs are prevalent here. Aside from the natural vegetation of the Northern Desert Thorn Forest, there is also ephemeral vegetation to be found here. It can only be seen during the monsoon season (Sharma & Balakrishanan, 1996).
Kejri (Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce; Fabaceae) is the most common plant in this state and is thus known as the "state tree." This is mostly found in arid areas. Sangria is a drink with a bean-like shape. It is used not only as fodder but also as a vegetable. It is considered a delicacy in Rajasthan. There are also many shrubs and akaro (Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton; Apocynaceae). The shrubs are thorny because they are desert vegetation (Sharma & Khandelwal, 2010).
Thor (Euphorbia caducifolia Haines; Euphorbiaceae), babul (Vachellia nilotica (L.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb.; Fabaceae), and bordi (Ziziphus nummularia (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.; Rhamnaceae) are also found here. Dhaman (Cenchrus ciliaris L.), Bhrut (Cenchrus catharticus Delile), and Sewan (Lasiurus hirsutus (Forssk.) Boiss.) are some of the perennial grass species (Poaceae) that grow in the region. These plants not only help to keep the soil together, but they also serve as good fodder for cattle and are widely used by various tribes (Sharma & Tiagi, 1979; Singh & Panday, 1980; Singh, 1999).
Eastern Rajasthan's shallow wetland landscape is dotted with creepers, shrubs, herbs, and bushes. Khejri and babul can be found in Keoladeo National Park. Over seventy tree species can be found in Ranthambore National Park. Some notable species include banyan (Ficus benghalensis L.; Moraceae), peepal (Ficus religiosa L.; Moraceae), dhak (Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.; Fabaceae), ber (Ziziphus mauritiana (Burm.f.) Wight & Arn.; Rhamnaceae), and khajur (Phoenix dactylifera L.; Arecaceae). The region contains 13 shrub varieties, 30 grass species, and over 100 medicinal species. Mount Abu, a hilly area, is home to bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees; Poaceae), salai (Boswellia serrata Roxb.; Burseraceae), dhav (Anogeissus pendula Edgew; Combretaceae), and jamun (Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels; Myrtaceae). There are also rare wild roses, ferns, and orchids to be found here (Solanki & Kotiya, 2021).
The herb dhava (Anogeissus latifolia (Roxb. ex DC.) Wall. ex Guill. & Perr.; Combretaceae) grows abundantly in Rajasthan's urban areas. Thor (Euphorbia royleana Boiss.; Euphorbiaceae), guggal (Commiphora wightii (Arn.) Bhandari; Burseraceae), gudhal (Hibiscus spp.; Malvaceae), shatawari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.; Asparaagaceae), brahmi (Bacopa monnieri (L.) Pennell; Scrophulariaceae), adusa (Justicia adhatoda L.; Acanthaceae).Singh (1999) described the biodiversity of the Indian National Park Rajasthan, situated in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan (Figure 1).Meena and Rao (2010) compiled new Flora of Rajasthan records. Recently,Singh and Pandey (2021) described the flora of Rajasthan to a great extent.
According to a floristic study conducted in Rajasthan, the most diverse plant families in terms of species diversity are the Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, and Fabaceae (Bhandari, 1990). The Fabaceae family is a rich source of medicinal and ornamental plants. Forest resources are the only source of revenue, fodder, fuel, food, and medicines in Rajasthan's southern region, which is home to a large number of tribal people. Local tribal people have extensive experience caring for their livestock by using plant species unique to their flora in a sustainable manner (Meena & Yadav, 2010). Medicinal plants abound in Rajasthan's dry state; in addition to the plants under Fabaceae family mentioned above (Table 1), medicinal plants from other families have been reported, viz., Acalypha indica L. Emblica officinalis L., Euphorbia hirta L., Jatropha curcas L. Ricinus communis L. (Euphorbiaceae); Phyllanthus emblica L. (Phyllanthaceae); Achyranthes aspera L., Aerva javanica (Burm. f.) Juss. ex Schult., Amaranthus spinosus L. (Amaranthaceae); Aegle marmelos L. Correa (Rutaceae); Ageratum conyzoides L., Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, Tridex procumbens L. (Asteraceae); Asparagus racemosus Wild. (Liliaceae); Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae); Boerrhavia diffusa L. (Nyctaginaceae); Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton, Tylophora indica (Burm. F) Merill (Asclepiadaceae), Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. (Poaceae); Datura stramonium L., Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae); Evolvulus alsinoides L. (Convolvulaceae); Ficus benghalensis L., Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae); Lawsonia inermis L. (Lytheraceae); Mangifera indica L. (Anacardiaceae); Momordica balsamina L. (Cucurbitaceae); Nerium indicum Mill. (Apocynaceae), Oxalis corniculata L. (Oxalidaceae), etc. (Alam & Sharma, 2012; Rana et al., 2014; Trivedi, 2002).
Economic value of Fabaceae
Though the primary commercially valuable product in this family is fruit (legume/pod), various species are used as sources of dye, timber, fodder, and so on. Several species have been used as remedies and poisons, and their pharmaceutical properties have recently been studied (Ahmad, Anwar, & Hira, 2016; Alister, Muasya, & Chimphango, 2018). The Fabaceae family contains approximately 17000 legume species (Leguminosae). Some of these species, such as Cicer arietinum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., and Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., are essential nutritional components that provide protein to over 300 million people worldwide. Legumes, particularly soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.), account for more than 35% of the world's refined vegetable oil and are also good protein sources for the hog and poultry industries. The majority of pulses are considered nontoxic grains that can be used as food supplements as well as for a variety of medicinal purposes (Graham & Vance, 2003). Given the importance of the Fabaceae family, the current study aims to compile the scattered information on the rich ethnobotanical uses of Fabaceae family and its phytochemistry, with a focus on the Indian state of Rajasthan.
Pharmacologically important Phytoconstituents of Family Fabaceae
Leguminosae plants synthesize a diverse range of natural products, together with flavors, poisons, and dyes, and they are also vital for medicinal purposes (Chopra, 1982; Patel & Shah, 2014). Phytochemicals (Figure 2) such as 3-nitropropanoic acid, Gallic acid, Protocatechuic acid, Caffeic acid, Coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, Rutin, Rosmarinic acid, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Epicatechin, and other polyphenols are mostly found in the plants of Fabaceae family (Jain, Katewa, & Galav, 2005; Obistioiu et al., 2021). In addition to flavonoids, legume leaves and seeds contain triterpenes, aldehydes, and lipids. These compounds are concentrated in vacuoles, cuticles, and resin ducts (in the case of hydrophilic substances) (Wink, 2013). The majority of these bioactive secondary metabolites are nitrogen-containing alkaloids and amines (Cyanogenic glucosides, Imidazole alkaloids, Tryptamine, and Phenylethylamine derivatives) (Wink, 2013).
Polyphenols such as flavonoids and phenolic acids, carotenoids such as carotenes, and a few vitamins such as
Table 1
Ethnomedicinal plants of family Fabaceae and their medicinal uses among the tribes of Rajasthan
S. No | Botanical name and growth habit | Vernacular name | Tribes | Plant parts | Compounds isolated | Medicinal uses | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Abrus precatorius L. (Tree) | Chirmi, Ratti, Gunja, Chirmati | Bhil, Damor, Kathodia, Garasia | Leaves, Seeds, root | Abrol, Alkaloids, Abrin, Abrine | Chewing the leaves for 2-3 days helps to cure white and red blisters in the mouth and both males and females consume seeds as an antifertility drug. The seeds are useful for boosting the nervous system and treating a variety of nervous disorders; a seed paste is also used to treat joint pain, and a root decoction is used to treat coughs, colds, and intestinal worms. | Katewa, Chaudhary, Jain, and Galav (2003); G Garaniya and Bapodra (2014). |
2. | Acacia hockii De Wild. (Tree) | Chekanti, Chakanti | Bhil, Damor | Leave, tender shoots, Bark | Flavonoids, Phenols, Terpenoids, Saponins | In the cure of stress related issues. | |
3. | Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile (Tree) | Kikar/ Babool | Bhils | Leaves, Bark | Polyphenolic compounds | The leaves of the plant are used to treat throat infections, and the crushed bark powder is used to treat skin issues, asthma, and bronchitis. | |
4. | Albizia leebek Benth. (Tree) | Siris | Damor | Leaf, Seed | Saponin, Tannin | Antidote, Saponin for snake position, Skin disease, Asthma, Piles, Diarrhea | |
5. | Atylosia scarabaeoids (Wight & Arn.) Druce (Shrub) | Gulsuni | Kathodia | Roots | Phenols, Tannins, Niacin Ascorbic acid | Paste obtained from roots used in rheumatism | |
6. | Bauhinia variegata L. (Tree) | Kachnar | Meena | Leaf, Seed Pods, root, flower bud and bark | Sigmasterol, b – Sitosterol | The bark contains fibre and is used to treat diarrhoea; the roots are carminative; and the flower bud is laxative and antihelminthic. | |
7. | Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Tree) | Dhak, khakhra | Meena, Bhil, Damor | Whole plant | Butrin, Palssonin, Glycocides, b - Sitosterol, | It is used to treat excessive bleeding, sunburn, diarrhoea, labour pain, and leucorrhoea. | Tripathi, Prabhu, Pal, and Mishra (1996); Patil, Pawar, and Patil (2006) |
8. | Caesalpinia crista L. | Fever nut | Bhil, Kalbelia | Leaf, Seed | d-Caesalpin | Burn, Inflammation, Digestive, Stomachic, Liver tonic, Skin disease, | |
9. | Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. (Shrub) | Arhar, Tuvar | Meena | Leaves | Flavonoids, Tannin, Resins and Terpenoids | Oral ulcers and inflammation are treated with a leaf paste. | Upadhyay, Parveen, Dhaker, and Kumar (2010); Pal, Mishra, Sachan, and Ghosh (2011) |
10. | Cassia fistula L. (Tree) | Amaltash | Meena | Roots, leaves | Anthraquinones, Flavonoids Flavanol | Roots of this plant are used to treat skin diseases and leprosy and leaves are used to treat rheumatism | |
11. | Cassia alata L. (Shrub/small tree) | Dadmari | Kalbelia, Damor | Leaves | Anthroquinone | Cut and sore treatment Asthma, piles, and wound healing | |
12. | Cassia occidentalis L. (Shrub) | Senna, Kasunda, Bari kasondi | Damor | Root, Seeds, Leaves, Fruit | Glycocides, Anthroquinone, b- Sitosterol, | Leaf paste is used topically to treat scabies and heal bone fractures. Seeds have purgative and liver tonic properties. | |
13. | Cassia tora L. | Charota, Panwad | Meena | Leaf, Seed | d-manitol, Anthroquinone, b- Sitosterol, | Leaf paste has a soothing effect when applied to the skin, and it also has a purgative effect. The seed is used to treat inflammation and fungal infections. | |
14. | Cicer arietinum L. (Herb) | Chana | Minas | Seeds | Unsaturated fatty acids, Lipids, Sterols, Starch, | The seeds coats are used to cure sprains | |
15. | Clitoria ternatea L. (Tree) | Vardia | Meena, Bhil, Damor | Leaf, seed, roots | Anthocyanins, Steroids Triterpenoids, Glycosides | To treat syphilis- related edema in the eyes. Tonsillitis, Leukoderma, Cough | |
16. | Dalbergia sissoo DC. (Tree) | Talli, Shisham | Bhils, Meena, Damor, Gadolia luhar | Leave, bark |
| The leaves are used to treat gonorrhea, skin and leprosy diseases the bark powder is used to cure children suffering from pneumonia | |
17. | Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf. (Tree) | Gulmohar | Bhils, Garasia, Saharia | Leaves | Saponins, Alkaloids, Carotene, Hydrocarbons, Flavonoids, Tannins, Steroids, Carotenoids, Terpenoids, Glycosides | Some disorders, such as inflammation and constipation, are treated with the leaves. | Srinivasan, Muruganandan, and Chandra (2001); Vyas, Pandya, and Mankad (2020) |
18. | Derris indica (Lam.) Benn. (Small tree) | Karanj | Gadolia luhar | Whole plant | Flavonoids, | Beri, Bleeding piles, Bronchitis, Leucoderma, Ulcers | |
19. | Desmodium trifolium L. (Herb) | Nilamparanda | Garasia, Saharia | Leaves | b-Phenylamine, Trigonelline, Alkaloids | Antidote, diuretic, carminative, tonic, diarrhea, skin disease, wound healing | |
20. | Entada abyssinica A.Rich (Small tree) |
| Bhil, Garasia | Leaves, Bark | Flavonoids, Terpenoids, monoglyceride, phenols | Cold, bronchial pains, stomachache, ulcers | |
21. | Erythrina abyssinica Lam. ex DC. (Tree) |
| Gadolia, Garasia | Bark, Leaf, Root | Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Triterpenoids, Lectin | Toothache, Fever, Menstrual disease | |
22. | Indigofera tinctoria L. (Tree) | Nai | Bhil, Kathodia, Meena | Roots | Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Glycosides, Terpenoids. | The tribal people consume root powder orally. | |
23. | Melilotus indica (L.) All. (Herb) | Ban methi, Senji, metha | Kathodia | Leaves and seeds | Seleno-amino acids | Seeds used in bowel complaints and infantile diarrhea. Used as discutient and emollient. | |
24. | Millettia pinnata (L.) Panigrahi (Tree) | Karanj | Bhil, Gurjar |
| Bitter fatty oil, Karanjin, Pongam oil, | Skin disease, Leukoderma, Carminative, Parasiticide, Bleeding | |
25. | Mimosa pudica L. (Herb) | Chuimui | Bhil, Meena | Whole plant | b-Amyrin, b-Sitosterol | Allergy, Asthma, Ulcer, Bleeding | |
26. | Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Tree) | Kirmich | Minas | Seed, Root | Alkaloids, Amino acids, Tetrahydroisoquinoline | Mixture of seed powder is mixed with honey to treat asthma disease while the roots are taken orally to cure diseases of nervous system such as facial paralysis | Katewa and Galav (2005); Pathania, Chawla, Khan, Kaushik, and Khan (2020) |
27. | Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce (Tree) | Khejri, Khejra, Janti | Bhil | Bark, Flower, Inflorescence, Fruit | Alkaloids, Saponins, Tannins, Flavanoids, Flavanols, Phenolics | The dried powder and its paste can be used to cure rheumatic disorders and pregnant women eat the flowers of this plant to protect against abortion Piles, Increase memory power | |
28. | Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC. (Tree) | Shammi | Meena, Bhil | Leaves and pods | Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Terpenoids, Steroids | Children with motor development delays are given syrup made from ground pods; for oral infections, powdered leaves are brewed in water and the liquid is applied to treat irritation. | Malik et al., 2013; Patnaik, Abbasi, and Abbasi (2017) |
29. | Pterolobium stellatum (Forssk.) Brenan (Small tree) | Beneka, Gorsa | Kalbelia, Shariya | Roots, Leaves | tannins | Pneumonia, Treatment for infertility and snake bites. | |
30. | Senegalia catechu (L.f.) P.J.H.Hurter & Mabb. (Tree); (Syn. Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd | Khair | Damor, Garasia |
| Catechin, Catechutanic Acid, Tannin, | Toothache, Headache, Diarrhea, Cough, Digestive, Skin disease | |
31. | Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton | Kumbat | Kathodia, Garasia | Bark, Flower, Gum | Phenols, Flavonoids, Tannins | This plant is also used to treat diabetes, hemorrhage, inflammation, and as a demulcent and emollient. This plant can also be used to treat the condition known as Intestinal Mucous. | |
32. | Tamarindus indica L. (Tree) | Imli | Bhil, Meena, Garasia, Kathodi, Damor, Saharia | Fruit, seed | Triterpenes, Lupeol, Fatty acids | Fever, laxative , skin rashes | Bhadoriya, Ganeshpurkar, Narwaria, Rai, and Jain (2011); Sharma and Kumar (2011). |
33. | Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. (Herb) | Dhamosa, Sarphonka | Bhils, Garasia, Saharia, Gadolia- Lohar | Root | β-sitosterol, Lupeol, Purpurin, Purpurenone | The powder of root along with black pepper is given orally to treat snake venom, enlarged liver and used as anthelmintic for children as blood purifier. Leaf paste is applied locally in piles and leprosy. | Saxena and Choubey (1997); Khalafalah et al. (2010); Charan and Sharma (2016). |
34. | Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Herb) | Methi | Kathodi, Lohar | Leaves and seeds | Phenols | Seeds as food lower blood sugar levels; powdered seeds reduce menstrual pain in females. |
vitamin C and vitamin E are the most common natural antioxidants. These antioxidants are of particular interest because they have potential therapeutic applications for major diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. These phenolic compounds have hydroxyl groups in their aromatic rings. Tannins, like phenolic acids, are high-molecular-weight compounds with phenolic groups. Glycosides and aglycones, in addition to flavonoids, are chemically glycosides and aglycones (Kapoor, 2015). Antioxidants are essential in the prevention of human diseases. Antioxidant compounds include the formation of singlet oxygen quenchers, reducing agents, pro-oxidant metals, more complex antioxidant compounds, and free radical scavengers (Rajeshwar, Kumar, Gupta, & Mazumder, 2005). Antioxidants are commonly used in oils and fatty diets to prevent oxidation. Artificial antioxidants, such as Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), are suspected of causing cancer; their use in food is restricted. As a result, numerous investigators have focused on natural antioxidants and crude extracts, and unadulterated natural substances from the plant kingdom have already been discovered to have antioxidant properties (Ho et al., 2012).
Gnanaraja, Prakash, Shanta, and Mahendraverman (2014) investigated the anticancer, antidiuretic, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammation activities of secondary metabolites from this important family. Secondary metabolites, such as pyrrolizidine alkaloids, are commonly found in plant extracts of several members of Fabaceae family and have a variety of biological activities, including antiviral, hepatotoxic, and neuroactive properties. Plant species in the Fabaceae family have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that can be used in industry (Omondi & Omondi, 2015). Later,Mehra and De (2017) discovered that plants in the Fabaceae family contain high levels of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, terpenoids, and carbohydrates, all of which have been linked to the prevention of degenerative diseases like neurological illness, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. It has been claimed that several plants of Fabaceae family constrain natural antioxidant amalgams, which are bioactive and can be used in the food industry as nutritional additives.
Treatment Forms
Several species of Fabaceae family have been reported to cure diseases such as anaemia, cancer (Bhushan & Kumar, 2013), diarrhoea, diabetes, and dysentery. Bioactive components, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sitosterol, tannins, polyphenolic compounds, and various other compounds, aid in the treatment of toothache, headache, leukoderma, piles, asthma, bronchitis, dermatitis, and other conditions. It treats fever, allergies, skin diseases, urinary disorders, inflammation, worms, premenstrual syndrome, and other conditions.
They frequently have antidotal, purgative, tonic, antiseptic, curative, and laxative properties. Because these bioactive components contain "additives" that act as synergists on pathogens, various studies on plant mixture use and its preparative home remedies have been reported (Jeph & Khan, 2020).
As a result, the presence of antioxidant properties ultimately justifies the presence of antibacterial and antiviral properties. And, as the practise of harvesting in the direction of the wild becomes more common, the need to preserve the plant and its properties for wholesome use will grow in the future. Tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids are major chemical constituents in species such as Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir. Terpenes and saponins have also been found in the plant. It has been observed to exhibit halogenation properties (Schultes, 1994). Mimosa pudica derived tannins, flavonoids, and terpenes contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-plasmolytic properties (Muhammad, Hussain, Jantan, & Bukhari, 2016). Anti-mutagen properties are also discussed. Although they have a low pharmacological value, they can be very useful in the treatment of inflammation and skin disease, as well as a good effect on fever and rheumatism.
Bauhinia cleilantha (Bong.) Steud. is widely used to treat weakness and dizziness. Its mechanism of action in hypoglycemia validates its utility in diabetes (Almeida, Guedes, Albuquerque, & Xavier, 2006). Cajanus, due to its toxicity, exhibits similar properties in addition to teratogenic and abortive effects (Lemonica & Alvarenga, 1994).
Other uses
Aside from their potential medical applications, they have been widely used in food, food additives, animal food, poison, material, social use, and, most notably, fuel. Because of the presence of tannins, the leaves of Petrolobium sp. are a source of dye (Sathyanarayanan et al., 2017).
Cosmetical uses
The compounds extracted from this family, which is widely popular in India and abroad, have an impact on a variety of beauty products. Cajanus cajan, also known as pigeon pea, is prized in the cosmetic industry for its potent antioxidant properties (Tungmunnithum & Hano, 2020).
Cultural Importance Index of Medicinal Plants
The cultural importance index (CI) was calculated as the sum of the use reports (UR) in each use category mentioned for a species in the locality, divided by the number of participants (N) in that locality, to determine the cultural significance of each species in each locality (Pardo-De-Santayana et al., 2007). Similarly, each species' mean cultural importance index (mCI) was carefully chosen. The cultural significance index (CI) of each family (CIf) was calculated by adding the CI of each family's species according to following formula:
Being a culturally important plant/species within a community is simply defined by the CI. As a result, they provide a list of important plants within the community in a defined stratum or rank. In a study on medicinal plants of Rajasthan,Tripathi et al. (1996) used this approach.
Conclusions
Rajasthan has a sizable tribal population, accounting for 9% of India's total tribal population. The tribal peoples' extensive knowledge of the ethnobotanical uses of various Fabaceae family species has paved the way for long-term natural source treatment of several diseases. Members of the Fabaceae family thus serve as a repository for important phytochemicals and antioxidants with medicinal and industrial applications. Traditional wisdom is under threat of extinction as a result of increasing urbanization, and a reconsideration of conservational paths is required to restore this exceptionally valuable knowledge. Because wild harvesting is becoming more common, it is critical to preserve the plants and their valuable properties for future wholesome use. There is also a need to conduct additional research on the Fabaceae family for various compound studies and to validate the recorded ethnobotanical uses.
