Mucuna pruriens Seed Aqueous Extract Improved Neuroprotective and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Effects Compared with Synthetic L-Dopa

Abstract

L-dopa, a dopaminergic agonist, is the gold standard for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. However, due to the long-term toxicity and adverse effects of using L-dopa as the first-line therapy for Parkinson’s disease, a search for alternative medications is an important current challenge. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine has suggested the use of Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Fabaceae) as an anti-Parkinson’s agent. The present study aimed to quantify the amount of L-dopa in M. pruriens seed extract by HPLC analysis. The cytotoxicity and neuroprotective properties of M. pruriens aqueous extract were investigated by two in vitro models including the serum deprivation method and co-administration of hydrogen peroxide assay. The results showed the significant neuroprotective activities of M. pruriens seed extracts at a concentration of 10 ng/mL. In addition, the effects of L-dopa and M. pruriens seed extract on in vitro acetylcholinesterase activities were studied. M. pruriens seed extract demonstrated acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, while synthetic L-dopa enhanced the activity of the enzyme. It can be concluded that the administration of M. pruriens seed might be effective in protecting the brain against neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. M. prurience seed extract containing L-dopa has shown less acetylcholinesterase activity stimulation compared with L-dopa, suggesting that the extract might have a superior benefit for use in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

The Hepatoprotective and Anti-Nephrotoxic Potential of Methanolic Extract of a Polyherbal Preparation in CCl4-Induced Liver Injury Model of Wistar Rats

“…25 Various studies have reported the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, and anthraquinones in the A racemosus, M pruriens, A pyrethrum, and T terrestris used to prepare the PHP as a trweatment of liver injury in current study. [26][27][28][29][30][31] The presence of these phytochemicals with proven antioxidant potential are responsible for the reversal of liver injury in current study. 32 Kidneys play a vital role in the excretion of toxins such as creatinine, uric acid, and urea.…”

Effect of Mucuna pruriens on brain NMDA receptor and tau protein gene expression in cerebral ischemic rats

“…Mucuna pruriens ( M. pruriens ), routinely known as Mucuna or velvet bean, is a popular medicinal plant belonging to the legume family and common in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. In India, it is widely found in the eastern part of the country ( Kamkaen et al, 2022 ). Several studies have reported the anti-Parkinson, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiepileptic, antineoplastic, male fertility, and aphrodisiac effects of M. pruriens ( Rane et al, 2019 ; Theansungnoen et al, 2022 ) .…”

“…Phytochemical analysis of M. pruriens seed extract has demonstrated a significant content of L-dopa accounting for its anti-parkinsonism properties. It has been widely used in Ayurveda as a medicinal plant since Vedic times and is used to treat various nervous disorders, probably due to its neuroprotective properties ( Rane et al, 2019 ; Kamkaen et al, 2022 ). Hence, the primary objective of the present work was to study the possible neuroprotective effect of pretreatment with M. pruriens seed extract and its isolated bioactive molecule(s) in the cerebral ischemic rat model and its impact on NMDA receptor and Tau protein gene expression.…”

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

“…Mucuna pruriens ( M. pruriens ) is a tropical legume in Fabaceae family. Mucuna seed contains abundant natural L-dopa, which has been shown to be more tolerated and more potent than synthetic L-dopa [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Pre-clinical and clinical studies have shown that M. pruriens seed containing natural L-dopa had benefits over synthetic L-dopa in terms of higher efficacy and lower adverse effect.…”