How does Mucuna pruriens work?

    Last Updated: March 19, 2024

    For reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s and other conditions related to dopamine deficiency, Mucuna pruriens is thought to work by increasing serum dopamine levels due to its high content of L-DOPA, a natural precursor to dopamine.[1] The potential beneficial effects of Mucuna pruriens on male fertility and testosterone levels may be due to L-DOPA’s action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.[2] The antivenom effects of Mucuna pruriens are likely due to an immune mechanism in which glycoproteins found in the bean are thought to stimulate the production of antibodies that bind to venom proteins, neutralizing the toxic effects of the venom.[3] Additional research is needed to further understand the potential antidiabetic effects of Mucuna pruriens, but existing evidence indicates the involvement of a compound known as D-chiro-inositol, which is present in the seeds of the plant.[4]

    References

    1. ^Pathania R, Chawla P, Khan H, Kaushik R, Khan MAAn assessment of potential nutritive and medicinal properties of : a natural food legume.3 Biotech.(2020-Jun)
    2. ^Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Shankhwar SN, Rajender S, Jaiswar SPMucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axisFertil Steril.(2009 Dec)
    3. ^Lampariello LR, Cortelazzo A, Guerranti R, Sticozzi C, Valacchi GThe Magic Velvet Bean of Mucuna pruriens.J Tradit Complement Med.(2012-Oct)
    4. ^Donati D, Lampariello LR, Pagani R, Guerranti R, Cinci G, Marinello EAntidiabetic oligocyclitols in seeds of Mucuna pruriens.Phytother Res.(2005-Dec)