Nature 194, 694 - 695 (19 May 1962); doi:10.1038/194694b0

Inhibition of Growth of Hair by Mimosine

R. G. CROUNSE, J. D. MAXWELL & H. BLANK

Department of Dermatology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Loss of hair in animals following ingestion of seeds and foliage of Leucaena glauca was first reported in 1897¹. Sudden loss of hair in native women has been ascribed to consumption of Leucaena glauca seeds². The toxic principle contained in this plant is a water-soluble amino-acid termed leucenol, and is identical with mimosine obtained from Mimosa pudica ³. Mimosine seems to be the preferred name for the compound, both by historical precedent⁴ and to avoid confusion with leucinol, an alcoholic derivative of leucine. Mimosine is found primarily in the seeds of Leucaena glauca, lesser amounts being present in the foliage and stems⁵. Its chemical structure is:

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