Development of Jelly Loaded with Nanogel Containing Natural L-Dopa from Mucuna pruriens Seed Extract for Neuroprotection in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

The first line therapy of patients with Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, is levodopa (L-dopa) given orally. Recently, the presence of natural L-dopa in the seed of Mucuna pruriens, a tropical legume in the Fabaceae family, was reported and it showed superior efficiency compared with synthetic L-dopa. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the phytochemical compounds, particularly for natural L-dopa, in M. pruriens seed extract and subsequently prepare a nanogel containing the extract prior to incorporation into a jelly formulation for use as a functional food in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease. The results show that M. pruriens seed extract contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins. The quantitative analysis performed by the HPLC method revealed that spray-dried M. pruriens seed extract contained 5.59 ± 0.21% L-dopa. M. pruriens seed extract possesses a ferric-reducing antioxidant power and shows free-radical scavenging activity, determined by DPPH and ABTS methods, suggesting a distinctive antioxidant ability of the extract. M. pruriens seed extract at 10 ng/mL did not show cytotoxicity against a neuronal cell line (SH-SY5Y cells), kidney cells (HEK293 cells), or Caco-2 cells. Nanogel of M. pruriens seed extract prepared by ionic gelation had the hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index and zeta potential value of 384.53 ± 11.24 nm, 0.38 ± 0.05, and −11.23 ± 1.15 mV, respectively. The transepithelial transport of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed-extract nanogel through Caco-2 cells was measured. Nanogel containing M. pruriens seed extract at the concentration of 10 ng/mL exhibited neuroprotective activity. A jelly formulation containing M. pruriens seed-extract nanogel was successfully developed. The prepared jelly exhibited the acceptable physical and microbiological stabilities upon 6 months of the stability test. The half-life of natural L-dopa in jelly were 3.2, 0.9, and 0.6 years for storage conditions at 4, 30, and 40 °C, respectively, indicating the thermal degradation of natural L-dopa. The prepared jelly containing natural L-dopa from M. pruriens seed extract with the prominent antioxidant activity is a promising option for elderly patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Elevating the significance of legume intake: A novel strategy to counter aging‐related mitochondrial dysfunction and physical decline

“…Moreover, Gals can regulate various cells and immune responses through interaction with glycoproteins and glycolipids, which are potentially valuable in treating age‐dependent neurodegenerative diseases (Chaudhary et al., 2022). In addition, the outstanding antioxidant activity of l ‐dopa found in the tropical beans Mucuna pruriens makes it a functional food for the elderly suffering from Parkinson's disease (Chittasupho et al., 2022). Genistein in soybeans, green peas, and peanuts has been found to cross the blood–brain barrier, revealing that it may be neuroprotective in delaying the onset or alleviating the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases (Li, Robinson et al., 2022).…”

“…The regulating mechanisms mainly involve reversing mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting caspase‐3 activation and ROS‐dependent NF‐κB signaling pathway and regulating the mitochondria‐related apoptotic program (Qian et al., 2012). Phytoestrogens also exhibit good antioxidant properties (Chittasupho et al., 2022). Phytoestrogens can mimic estrogens’ antioxidant protective effects by preventing cytochrome c's release from mitochondria (Rajendran et al., 2022).…”

“…A fermented product of peanuts was found to have good antioxidant, anti‐glycemic, and bile acid‐lowering properties (Yamamoto et al., 2022). Nanogels vegetated with levodopa extract from sallow beans have outstanding antioxidant activity and are promising in targeting neuroprotection against Parkinson's disease in the elderly (Chittasupho et al., 2022). Long‐term polyphenol‐containing red bean ( Vigna angularis ) extract intake may reduce elevated blood pressure in chronic hypertension (Mukai & Sato, 2009).…”