Cassia mimosoides

Related Terms

Anthraquinoids, anthraquinones, c?ssia de empingem (Portuguese - Brazil), Cassia mimosoides spp., Cassia nomame, catechins, Chamaecrista mimosoides L., chichani (Marathi), emodic acid, emodin, emodin glycosides, Fabaceae (family), feather-leaved cassia, fish-bone cassia, five-leaf cassia, glucosides, guaiacol peroxidase, hama cha (Japanese), Japanese tea, kawara-ketumei (Japanese), kita, Leguminosae (family), luteolin, luteolin glucosides, mateloi, mateloi lalahi, mimosoides tea, mountain flat-bean, nemucha (Japanese), nomame, nomame herba, patwa ghas (Hindi), phenols, physcion, sensitiva (Portuguese - Brazil), tea senna, ukellela chedip (Palauan).

Background

Nomame (Cassia nomame) is a medicinal herb native to China that now grows wild in many parts of the world. In folk medicine, nomame is reportedly used to increase urine flow. Hama-cha, a water-based extract of nomame leaves, stems, and pods, is a popular tea in Japan.
Nomame is often an ingredient in weight loss products. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of nomame on body weight and fat breakdown in humans.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for nomame in adults. For weight loss, nomame has been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily before meals.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Nomame may interact with anticancer drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, laxatives, and weight loss drugs.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Brudnak MA. Weight-loss drugs and supplements: are there safer alternatives? Med Hypotheses 2002;58(1):28-33.
Ganguly A, Choudhury R, Mitra SR, et al. Chemical Investigation of Cassia mimosoides. Planta Med 1985;51(6):540.
Hatano T, Uebayashi H, Ito H, et al. Phenolic constituents of Cassia seeds and antibacterial effect of some naphthalenes and anthraquinones on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1999;47(8):1121-7.
Hatano T, Yamashita A, Hashimoto T, et al. Flavan dimers with lipase inhibitory activity from Cassia nomame. Phytochemistry 1997;46(5):893-900.
Kadowaki S, Naitou K, Takahara Y, et al. Extract of Cassia nomame has effect on the cell cycle of CHO-K1 cells and suppresses chromosome aberrations induced by Mitomycin C. Wa-Kan iyakugaku zasshi 2003;20(4):168-172.
Kim YO, Johnson JD, Lee EJ. Phytotoxicity of Phytolacca americana leaf extracts on the growth, and physiological response of Cassia mimosoides. J Chem Ecol 2005;31(12):2963-74.
Kitanaka S, Takido M. Anthraquinoids from Cassia nomame. Journal of Natural Products 1985;48:849.
Konishi T, Naitou K, Kadowaki S, et al. Anti-clastogenic ingredients in Cassia nomame extract. Biofactors 2004;22(1-4):99-102.
McCarty MF. Nutraceutical resources for diabetes prevention--an update. Med Hypotheses 2005;64(1):151-8.
Shimura S, Tsuzuki W, Itoh Y, et al. Inhibitory effect of tannin fraction from Cassia mimosoides L. var. nomame Makino on lipase activity. Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo Gakkai-Shi 1994;41(8):561-564.
Subramanian S, Nagarajan S. Chemical components of the roots and seeds of Cassia mimosoides. Indian J Pharm 1970;32:70-71.
Subramanian S, Nagarajan S. Chemical examination of the leaves of Cassia mimosoides. Indian J Pharm 1969;31:110-111.
Sugimoto T, Wada Y, Yamamura S, et al. Fluorescence study on the nyctinasty of Cassia mimosoides L. using novel fluorescence-labeled probe compounds. Tetrahedron 2001;57(49):9817-9825.
Ueda M, Nakamura Y. Chemical basis of plant leaf movement. Plant Cell Physiol 2007;48(7):900-7.
Yamamoto M, Shimura S, Itoh Y, et al. Anti-obesity effects of lipase inhibitor CT-II, an extract from edible herbs, Nomame Herba, on rats fed a high-fat diet. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2000 Jun;24(6):758-64.