Both Mucuna pruriens and isolated L-DOPA are apparently effective for the treatment of Parkinson's symptoms. However, preliminary evidence from animal research suggests that Mucuna pruriens may be, in some ways, superior to isolated L-DOPA.
For example, in one animal study, treatment with Mucuna pruriens resulted in a lower incidence of dyskinesia compared to treatment with the same amount of isolated L-DOPA.[1]. Moreover, in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder was more effective than the same amount of isolated L-DOPA for restoring the brain levels of dopamine, L-DOPA, norepinephrine, and serotonin, and exhibited greater neuroprotective activity.[2]
One potential explanation for the findings above relates to the DNA-protective properties of Mucuna pruriens. More specifically, it has been suggested that, in the presence of copper ions (the levels of which have been reported to be elevated in individuals with Parkinson’s disease), L-DOPA may cause extensive oxidative DNA damage.[3] While this could be a concern with the use of isolated L-DOPA, some of the constituents of Mucuna pruriens have antioxidant and metal-chelating properties, potentially mitigating the risk of DNA damage.[4][5]
Another potential explanation for the above relates to the finding that in rodents, at least, L-DOPA-containing preparations of Mucuna pruriens are 2–3 times as potent as the equivalent dose of isolated (synthetic) L-DOPA.[6][7] This higher potency could be due to components in Mucuna pruriens acting as dopamine decarboxylase inhibitors, preventing the conversion of L-DOPA into dopamine in peripheral tissues, thereby allowing more L-DOPA to reach the brain.[1] It could also be due to other components in Mucuna pruriens having anti-Parkinsonian properties.[8]
With the above said, the standard treatment with L-DOPA for Parkinson’s usually involves pairing L-DOPA with carbidopa or benserazide (which are dopamine decarboxylase inhibitors). In human trials comparing Mucuna pruriens to L-DOPA + carbidopa/benserazide, the findings suggest similar effectiveness at reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, with Mucuna pruriens potentially having a more favorable tolerability profile.[9][10][11]
References
- ^Lieu CA, Kunselman AR, Manyam BV, Venkiteswaran K, Subramanian TA water extract of Mucuna pruriens provides long-term amelioration of parkinsonism with reduced risk for dyskinesias.Parkinsonism Relat Disord.(2010-Aug)
- ^Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M, Hare TANeuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens.Phytother Res.(2004-Sep)
- ^Spencer JP, Jenner A, Aruoma OI, Evans PJ, Kaur H, Dexter DT, Jenner P, Lees AJ, Marsden DC, Halliwell BIntense oxidative DNA damage promoted by L-dopa and its metabolites. Implications for neurodegenerative disease.FEBS Lett.(1994-Oct-24)
- ^Tharakan B, Dhanasekaran M, Mize-Berge J, Manyam BVAnti-Parkinson botanical Mucuna pruriens prevents levodopa induced plasmid and genomic DNA damage.Phytother Res.(2007-Dec)
- ^Dhanasekaran M, Tharakan B, Manyam BVAntiparkinson drug--Mucuna pruriens shows antioxidant and metal chelating activity.Phytother Res.(2008-Jan)
- ^Hussian G, Manyam BVMucuna pruriens proves more effective than L-DOPA in Parkinson's disease animal modelPhytother Res.(1998 Dec)
- ^Kasture S, Pontis S, Pinna A, Schintu N, Spina L, Longoni R, Simola N, Ballero M, Morelli MAssessment of symptomatic and neuroprotective efficacy of Mucuna pruriens seed extract in rodent model of Parkinson's disease.Neurotox Res.(2009-Feb)
- ^Misra L, Wagner HExtraction of bioactive principles from Mucuna pruriens seeds.Indian J Biochem Biophys.(2007-Feb)
- ^Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A, Patsalos PN, Ratnaraj N, Watt H, Timmermann L, Van der Giessen R, Lees AJMucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological studyJ Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.(2004 Dec)
- ^Roberto Cilia, Janeth Laguna, Erica Cassani, Emanuele Cereda, Benedetta Raspini, Michela Barichella, Gianni PezzoliDaily intake of Mucuna pruriens in advanced Parkinson's disease: A 16-week, noninferiority, randomized, crossover, pilot studyParkinsonism Relat Disord.(2018 Apr)
- ^Roberto Cilia, Janeth Laguna, Erica Cassani, Emanuele Cereda, Nicolò G Pozzi, Ioannis U Isaias, Manuela Contin, Michela Barichella, Gianni PezzoliMucuna pruriens in Parkinson disease: A double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover studyNeurology.(2017 Aug 1)