Proposis juliflora is a shrub or small tree in the family Fabaceae. It has since been renamed to Neltuma juliflora. It is native to Mexico, South America and the Caribbean. The plant is now an invasive weed in Africa, Asia and Australia.
Phytochemicals
The plant is rich in Alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phenolic compounds. Examples of flavonoids present include Apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol and quercetin. Juliflorine is an Alkaloid also present in this tree.
Bioactivity
Mesquitol is a compound found in the tree and has shown great antioxidant properties.
Prosopine an alkaloid from the tree has shown antimicrobial properties against bacteria and fungi.
Juliflorine which is an alkaloid that has been isolated from the tree has antibacterial and antidermatophytic activity. Juliflorine has also been shown to modulate the immune system. Immunomodulating is the process of adjusting the immune system's activity by either suppressing or stimulating it to achieve a given outcome. This is usually applied to cancer treatment and autoimmune diseases. Juliflorine is also therapeutic in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.