Initial investigations 

In 1937 it became known that the seeds of Mucuna contains L-Dopa (about 250mg per 7.5 grams of seed powder). ^[1] [2] That was a lot of insight for the awakening that L-Dopa in Parkinson’s disease is an important therapeutic role. In the seventies of the last century, Indian researchers compared the dopamine activity of the seed with other dopamine-like substances. ^[3] [4] The same Indian research document in 1978 reported also the first clinical findings on the use of the plant at the Parkinson’s disease. ^[5] It took several years, until 2004, before Mucuna Pruriens in the west was examined in a double-blind study in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

In a study of eight patients showed the drug efficacy of L-Dopa to support, with no negative side effects emerged. In some animal were found evidence of a possible positive impact of the seeds ^[6].

It is now possible to recommend using this phytotherapeutical drug as data about the long-term safety in animal studies are available, as well as long term experience in India.

In addition to L-Dopa plant contains many other substances and more unknown alkaloids. ^[7] From experimental animal studies show that the anti-Parkinson’s effect may not only be attributed to dopamine, but also to other substances. ^[8] The value of that substances for the treatment is still not entirely clear. However, it seems that occasionally it the Extrapyramidal side effects of L-Dopa
which can reduce, and part of the L-Dopa pharmaceutical preparations can be substituted.

On the basis of this plant in the period 2000-2007 the preparation HP-200 taken in research. ^[1] This substance is now available under the brand name Zandopa.

In the Netherlands there is a tradition in the research area of Mucuna. For more than 20 years ago Dutch pharmacologists at the University of Groningen investigated the possibility to produce L-Dopa from Mucuna prurienscellen. ^[10] [11] It appears that cells of Mucuna Pruriens in culture produce-L-dopa in a laboratory environment. ^[12]

Indian researchers have conducted experiments and succeeded in effectively cloning Mucuna. ^[13]

Mucuna pruriens and Ayurveda

In India Mucuna seed powder is used in ayurvedic treatment of Parkinson’s patients. ^{[14] [7] [16][17]} It has, according zegslieden to operate. On the basis of the Indian ayurveda economic results even the U.S. government (FDA) approved an investigation (IND) for a preparation Mucuna granted.Unfortunately, the development in the U.S. stop put money by producing the pharmaceutical industry.

Experience showed that Parkinson’s patients treated with Mucuna remained stable for quite some time.&
nbsp;Also, the preparation seems to lead to less progression of the disease, or less L-Dopa toxicity, or both. And is was also showed that despite relatively high doses of L-Dopa in Mucuna preparation tolerance was much better with regard to involuntary movement disorders (dykinesieen). This involuntary movement disorders often limit the practical effect of L-Dopa, because no higher dose may be. But in the course of time-effect curve of the L-Dopa (as Sinemet), and the side effects make higher dose impossible. In this field, Mucuna can do something.

Mucuna pruriens and L-Dopa

Why does L-Dopa from the plant Mucuna has a different profile than classical  L-Dopa therapy? Maybe there are other substances in the preparation of impact. This issue is examined:

1. Prof. Olanow (USA), in dopaminergic zenuwcel cultures had some extraktfracties of Mucuna (without L-Dopa) very strong nerve stimulation or nerve protective properties.(neurostimulation, neuroprotection).
2. Prof. Manyam (USA): In animals (rats), in which certain brain nuclei were chemically damaged (Parkinson image) showed Mucuna the function and content of normal transmitter substances recover.
3. Prof. Read (UK), he took a challenging (provocation), double-blind crossover study. In 24 sessions in 8 patients with difficult to control dyskinesieen under L-Dopa therapy. On the morning of each sessiedag PD patients were Group 1: Sinemet (200 mg L-Dopa + 50 mg carbodopa), group 2: 15 gr (special formulation = 500 mg L-Dopa) Mucuna or group 3 30 grams Mp ( = 1000 mg L-Dopa) in a single dose.

Results:

• Faster absorption of L-Dopa (peak plasma levels) with multiple higher plasma levels of L-Dopna with Mucuna.
• Instructions for another metabolism of L-Dopa in Mucuna.
• Much faster impact on the preparation of the Parkinson’s symptoms (switch-on): 15 min vs 60 minutes and a longer effect.
• Despite much higher plasma levels of acute side effects do not occur and dyskinesieen (in absolute terms even less than 200 mg Sinemet).

These data suggest therefore that Mucuna indeed contains additional substances, which might be neuroprotective against L-Dopa toxicity.

In any case, under the combination therapy of L-Dopa with Mucuna Pruriens a much wider therapeutic window seems to exist, which  is of great importance.

Research (2007) has shown that Mucuna a protective effect on DNA level, and possibly it is neuroprotectief, that protects the nerve cells. ^[18] This protective effect in several experimental animal models and found. ^[19] What the value of that effect on people, is still unclear.

What’s inside 

The seeds of Mucuna are a large number of substances found, many of which have biological activity.Here is a summary:

1-methyl-3-carboxy-6, 7-dihydroxy-1 ,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolone ,5-hydroxy tryptamine, 5-methoxy-n, n-dimethyltryptamine-n-oxide, 5-oxyindole-3-alkylamine , 6-methoxyharman, alanine, arachidic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, behenic acid, β-carbo-line, β-sitosterol, bufotenine, choline, cystine, leucine, linoleic acid, myristic acid, n, n-dimethyltryptamine, n, n – dimethyltryptamine-n-oxide, nicotine, Oleic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, Phenylalanine, phosphorus, proline, protein, saponins, serine, stearic acid, threonine, tryptamine, tyrodine, valine and vernolic acid, (Z)-Triactont-5 , 7,9 – triene (Z)-Docos-2 ,4,6-trien-1 ,8-diol and (Z)-Docos-5-en-1-OIC acid ……

Mucuna research results (Katzenschlager 2004)

The first clinical study on the effects of Mucuna by a German research group in 2004 described ^[20].

Based on this preliminary pilot study in patients with PD and short duration L-Dopa response, the 30 g M pruriens formulation seems to possess potential advantages over existing Commercially available controlled release or dispersible Formulations or L-Dopa in that it combines a rapid onset or action with a slightly longer duration of therapeutic response compared with a standard dose of L-Dopa calculated on the basis of the known quantity of L-Dopa in Mucuna using standard conversion ratios.

No increase in severity or dyskinesia in peripheral dopaminergic adverse events was found on the Mucuna preparation.

Mechanism of action

Except that Mucuna direct stock dopamine in the brains can supplement with additional activity probably means the protective effect on nerve cells. A recent survey from 2008, since the emphasis on:

The antioxidant activity of Mucuna pruriens was demonstrated by its ability to scavenge DPPH radicals, ABTS radicals and reactive oxygen species. Mucuna pruriens significantly inhibited the oxidation of lipids and deoxyribose sugar. Mucuna pruriens exhibited divalent iron CHELATING activity and did not show any genotoxic / mutagenic effect on the plasmid DNA. These results suggest that the neuroprotective and neuro-restorative effect of Mucuna pruriens may be related to its antioxidant activity independent of the symptomatic effect. In addition, the drug appears to be safe therapeutically in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease ^[21].

This protective effect raises currently much interest! ^[18] The modern antiParkison drug rasageline could be neuroprotectief, and that’s the only drug of which it is known. Mucuna would be the first plant with a neuroprotectief effect!

Also in plants L-dopa appears to have a function. Probably in the plant to see where the L-Dopa is present, since this material is easily converted to melatonin. And melatonin, a pigment substance in the plant. ^[23]

Mucuna preparations on the market 

There are various preparations in the Netherlands on the market, which can be ordered online. 

Let a physician always determine the dose increasing, and always ask your neurologist!There are Mucuna tablets that contain a low dose of about 22.5 mg L-dopa, from Ayurveda health.  Bonusan brings Mucuna to the market, with an equivalent of 60 mg Dopa / 400 mg tablet.

The text of Bonusan on Mucuna, reads:

In India, the tropical plant Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean) a long tradition of Ayurvedic drug. The leguminous fruit is used as a tonic for the nervous system and as a sexual stimulant drug. In Guatemala, Mexico and Brazil are roasted and ground beans for some decades as a substitute for coffee used under the heading ‘Nescafé.

In some African countries (Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria), the velvet bean known as a food crop. The beans are very rich in natural L-dopa, the precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is important for locomotion and feelings of happiness, joy and motivation. Also attention, concentration and excitement are largely determined by dopamine. Other substances

Mucunabonen that affect the nervous system are dopamine, phenylalanine, serotonin, tryptamine, bufotenine and alkaloids. From D-Chiro-inositol and myoinositol in the velvet bean makes the body inositol, a vitamin-like substance that supports the glucose metabolism. The effects of inositol is supported by other soluble carbohydrates in Mucuna pruriens.

Mucuna: Promotes smooth movement and feelings of happiness, pleasure and motivation – is good for the nervous system – Does nerve reaffirming – Supports glucose metabolism – Promotes concentration.

Zandopa is available in England, and is registered as a phytopharmaceutical. It can be ordered via the Internet of Zandopa. This preparation was used as a research preparation known as HB 200. This is probably the best product having biological activity, in any case, it is this preparation the most studied.

Zandopa and effects

The HP-200 from 2008 is launched in the UK market as Zandopa. We quote in the whole story about the clinical Zandopa of the Zandopa website:

Additional studies in India were undertaken to establish the benefit of HP200 in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Four medical centers were selected involving sixty patients and several neurologists. The studies were conducted for three months. During that time, the patients received HP200 while no concomitant L-dopa preparations were administered.Trained neurologists monitored changes in the degree of patent’s symptoms and any side effects. At the end of the study, it was determined that the HP200 was highly beneficial in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The side effects were minimal. HP200 was approved by the Indian Food and Drug Administration and is available in India under the brand name Zandopa.

Side effects include nausea, anorexia, cardiac irregularities, ortho-static hypo tension, weight gain, hot flushes, numerous dyskinesias and psychiatric symptoms such as agitations, hallucinations, delusions and nightmares. ^[25]

Use Mucuna never without informing your doctor, neurologist and pharmacist! 

Prices and producers 

• Bonusan: Mucuna pruriens extract (standardized at 15% L-dopa) 400 mg. It contains 60 mg L-dopa, pots of 60 capsules for 19.50 Euro.
• Zandopa: 10 bottles, per bottle of 175 grams of powder, 30 UK pounds, excluding shipping costs.
• Ayurveda Health: Bottle of 120 tablets, 1 tablet contains 450mg Mucuna, equivalent to 22.5 mg L-Dopa, for € 24.50

Further Literature

• A good overview is published in Pharmacognosy Reviews ^[26].
• A historical, geographical and agricultural survey of Mucuna Pruriens. ^[27]
• The use of Mucuna Pruriens in West Africa as a herbicide. ^[28]
• Wichers HI, Pras N, Huizing HI. Mucuna pruriens in vitro production of L-dopa. In: Bajaj yps.Biotechnology in agriculture and forestry 7. Medicinal and aromatic plants I1. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1989:349-66.
• Huizing HJ, Wichers HJ. Production of L-dopa by Mucuna pruriens cell suspension cultures through accumulation or by biotransformation of L-tyrosine. In: Houwink EH, Van der Meer RR, eds. Innovations in biotechnology. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Publishers, 1984:217-28.

Refer
ences