Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens possesses significantly higher antiparkinson activity compared with levodopa in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. The present study evaluated the neurorestorative effect of Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the nigrostriatal tract of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder significantly increased the brain mitochondrial complex-I activity but did not affect the total monoamine oxidase activity (in vitro). Unlike synthetic levodopa treatment, Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder treatment significantly restored the endogenous levodopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin content in the substantia nigra. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and coenzyme Q-10, that are shown to have a therapeutic benefit in Parkinson's disease, were present in the Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder. Earlier studies showed that Mucuna pruriens treatment controls the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This additional finding of a neurorestorative benefit by Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the degenerating dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra may be due to increased complex-I activity and the presence of NADH and coenzyme Q-10.

Antiparkinson drug – Mucuna pruriens shows antioxidant and metal chelating activity

“…Mucuna pruriens exhibited a neuroprotective effect by significantly restoring the levels of dopamine in the substantia nigra and norepinephrine in the nigrostriatal tract of a parkinsonian animal model (Manyam et al, 2004). A clinical trial of Mucuna pruriens (HP-200, a commercially available Mucuna pruriens formulation) was effective in patients with Parkinson's disease (HP-200 in Parkinson Disease Study Group, 1995).…”

Evaluation of Anti-Obesity Effect of Aqueous Extract of Mucuna Pruriens Seeds on Rats

“…(Leguminosae) known as ''velvet bean" and ''atmagupta'' is a climbing legume, endemic in India and in other parts of the tropics including Central and South America. In the Ayurvedic system of medicine, Mucuna pruriens was used for the management of male infertility [20], nervous disorders [21] and also as an aphrodisiac [22]. Mucuna pruriens seed powder contains a large amount of L-DOPA (1.5%), which is a dopamine precursor and effective remedy for the relief in Parkinson's disease [23].…”

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Bioactive Principles of Mucuna pruriens Seeds Using Experimental Models of Depression Associated with Parkinsonism and Associated Neurotransmitter Turnover

“…(DC) seeds are natural popular remedy, clinically used for the management of Parkinson's disease, as it contains a high concentration of L-dopa a vital source of dopamine and it is proved superior to synthetic L-dopa for the treatment of Parkinsonism [4]. Also, neuroprotective action of seeds of M. pruriens was showed to be due to restoration of the endogenous monoamine contents including dopamine in the substantia nigra [5]. Dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin mediated antidepressant activity of 50% ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seeds were reported from our laboratory using various experimental models of depression [6,7].…”