Assessment of Symptomatic and Neuroprotective Efficacy of Mucuna Pruriens Seed Extract in Rodent Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens (MP) has long been used in Indian traditional medicine as support in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, no systematic preclinical studies that aimed at evaluating the efficacy of this substance are available to date. This study undertook an extensive evaluation of the antiparkinsonian effects of an extract of MP seeds known to contain, among other components, 12.5% L: -dihydroxyphenylalanine (L: -DOPA), as compared to equivalent doses of L: -DOPA. Moreover, the neuroprotective efficacy of MP and its potential rewarding effects were evaluated. The results obtained reveal how an acute administration of MP extract at a dose of 16 mg/kg (containing 2 mg/kg of L: -DOPA) consistently antagonized the deficit in latency of step initiation and adjusting step induced by a unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesion, whereas L: -DOPA was equally effective only at the doses of 6 mg/kg. At the same dosage, MP significantly improved the placement of the forelimb in vibrissae-evoked forelimb placing, suggesting a significant antagonistic activity on both motor and sensory-motor deficits. The effects of MP extract were moreover investigated by means of the turning behavior test and in the induction of abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs) after either acute or subchronic administration. MP extract acutely induced a significantly higher contralateral turning behavior than L: -DOPA (6 mg/kg) when administered at a dose of 48 mg/kg containing 6 mg/kg of L: -DOPA. On subchronic administration, both MP extract (48 mg/kg) and L: -DOPA (6 mg/kg) induced sensitization of contralateral turning behavior; however, L: -DOPA alone induced a concomitant sensitization in AIMs suggesting that the dyskinetic potential of MP is lower than that of L: -DOPA. MP (48 mg/kg) was also effective in antagonizing tremulous jaw movements induced by tacrine, a validated test reproducing parkinsonian tremor. Furthermore, MP induced no compartment preference in the place preference test, indicating the lack of components characterized by rewarding effects in the extract. Finally, in a subchronic mice model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine hydrochloride (MPTP)-induced dopamine neuron degeneration, MP extract did not prove capable of preventing either tyrosine hydroxylase decrease induced by MPTP or astroglial or microglial activation as assessed by means of GFAP and CD11b immunohistochemistry, supporting the absence of neuroprotective effects by MP. Characterization MP extract strongly supports its antiparkinsonian activity.

Acute Toxicity Evaluation of Ethanol Extract of Indonesian Velvet Beans

“…In many countries, this plant is also used in the treatment of cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, paralysis, rheumatism, cancer, tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, irritation, burns, cough, muscle pain, and many others [5][6][7]. Various studies reported the bioactivity of Mucuna pruriens, such as increasing the sexual activity of normal male rats, hepatoprotective activity with increasing the in vivo antioxidants [8], antidiabetic activity [9][10][11][12], and as a potential antiparkinson from the seeds [13,14].…”

Changes of gene expression profiles in the cervical spinal cord by acupuncture in an MPTP-intoxicated mouse model: Microarray analysis

“…It was especially reported that MPTP induces the degeneration of spinal cord in a mouse model of MPTP intoxication (Samantaray et al, 2008). Pharmaceutical studies have been conducted using these animal models of PD-like neuropathological features as well as using actual PD patients (Dutta et al, 2008;Etminan et al, 2003;Hamaue 2000;Kasture et al, 2009;Liang et al, 2007;Neef and van Laar, 1999;Yano et al, 2009). However, these studies have not yet led to the development of satisfactory anti-parkinsonism drugs with longterm therapeutic effects for PD patients; for example, long-term treatment with Levodopa (a drug used to treat PD) is known to cause serious side effects such as dyskinesia (Calon et al, 2000).…”

A water extract of Mucuna pruriens provides long-term amelioration of parkinsonism with reduced risk for dyskinesias

“…Mucuna pruriens has been shown to contain natural levodopa (LD, [5–11]), which has been presumed to be the mechanism of its action in PD. Under this presumption, many experimental studies have concomitantly administered Mucuna pruriens with a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI) like benserazide (BZ, [12]) or carbidopa (CD, [13]); or used subjects that concurrently took a DDCI as part of their treatment regimen without adequate washout [14]. However, no DDCI is utilized in Ayurveda with Mucuna pruriens treatment.…”