Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study

Abstract

Background: The seed powder of the leguminous plant, Mucuna pruriens has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases including parkinsonism. We have assessed the clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa/carbidopa (LD/CD). Methods: Eight Parkinson's disease patients with a short duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias completed a randomised, controlled, double blind crossover trial. Patients were challenged with single doses of 200/50 mg LD/CD, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna preparation in randomised order at weekly intervals. L-Dopa pharmacokinetics were determined, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and tapping speed were obtained at baseline and repeatedly during the 4 h following drug ingestion. Dyskinesias were assessed using modified AIMS and Goetz scales. Results: Compared with standard LD/CD, the 30 g mucuna preparation led to a considerably faster onset of effect (34.6 v 68.5 min; p = 0.021), reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. Mean on time was 21.9% (37 min) longer with 30 g mucuna than with LD/CD (p = 0.021); peak L-dopa plasma concentrations were 110% higher and the area under the plasma concentration v time curve (area under curve) was 165.3% larger (p = 0.012). No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred. Conclusions: The rapid onset of action and longer on time without concomitant increase in dyskinesias on mucuna seed powder formulation suggest that this natural source of L-dopa might possess advantages over conventional L-dopa preparations in the long term management of PD. Assessment of long term efficacy and tolerability in a randomised, controlled study is warranted.

Amazing bean Mucuna pruriens: A comprehensive review

“…In a clinical study, Nagashayana et al (2000) revealed the contribution of L-DOPA in the recovery of PD followed by Ayurveda medication. Katzenschlager et al (2004) revealed that 30 g Mucuna seed powder preparation has considerable faster action in treating PD patients than conventional standard drugs, namely, Levodopa or Carbidopa and suggested that natural source of L-DOPA might possess advantages over conventional drugs in long term management of PD.…”

“…It is used against a wide range of disorders, such as urinary tract, neurological and menstruation disorders, constipation, edema, fever, tuberculosis, ulcers, PD (Katzenschlager et al, 2004) and helminthiases like elephantiasis (Oudhia, 2002). Traditionally, the powdered seeds of M. pruriens was found to increase the general mating behavior and thereby sexual activity in rats (Amin et al, 1996).…”

Mucuna pruriens seed powder feeding influences reproductive conditions and development in Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

“…DA content in the cortex with no significant effect on levodopa, norepinephrine or DA, serotonin and their metabolites. The failure of M. pruriens endocarp to significantly affect DA metabolism in the striatonigral tract along with its ability to improve Parkinsonian symptoms in the 6-hydroxydopamine animal model and humans may suggest that its anti-Parkinson's effect may be due to components other than levodopa or that it has a levodopaenhancing effect (37 min) (Katzenschlager et al, 2004;Manyam et al, 2004).…”

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“…[24] An n-propanol extract of M. pruriens seeds yields the highest response in neuroprotective testing involving the growth and survival of DA neurons in culture. Interestingly, n-propanol extracts, which contain a negligible amount of L-DOPA, have shown significant neuroprotective activity, suggesting that a whole extract of M. pruriens seeds could be superior to pure L-DOPA with regard to the treatment of Parkinsonism.…”