Mucuna pruriens,L-DOPA and its fame.
Article Content:
- .Basic Botanical Data of Mucuna pruriens.
- .Plant Description:Mucuna Pruriens.
- .Phytochemicals and Constituents of Mucuna pruriens.
- .Mucuna Pruriens Tribal and Herbal Medicine Uses.
- .Herbal Properties and Actions:Mucuna Pruriens.
- .Common Benefit and Application of L-Dopa and Mucuna Pruriens.
- .Mucuna Pruriens Historical use and Additional Remarks.
- .Parkinson's disease and Mucuna Pruriens.
- .Mucuna Pruriens Biological Activities and Clinical Research.
- .Monoterpene Alkaloid Isolated From Mucuna Pruriens.
- .Beans,roots and leaves:a brief history of the pharmacological therapy of parkinsonism.
- .L-DOPA:Discovery,Identification and Safety.
- .L-DOPA:Cosmetic Applications.
- .Research Update:Mucuna pruriens and L-Dopa.
Mucuna Pruriens Historical use and Additional Remarks.
Mucuna has been used as an aphrodisiac, to increase mental alertness and improve coordination.
In Central America, mucuna beans have been roasted and ground to make a coffee substitute for decades and is widely known as nescafe for this reason. It is still grown as a crop by the Ketchi indigenous people in Guatemala; the bean is cooked as a vegetable. In Suriname's traditional medicine burned seeds are used as an ointment against swollen glands. In Brazil and India the seeds has been used for Parkinson's disease, impotence, intestinal gas.
The roots are bitter, sweet thermogenic emollient, stimulant, purgative, aphrodisiac, diuretic. The leaves are aphrodisiac. The seeds are astringent, laxative, anthelmentic, alexipharmic and tonic.
The roots are bitter, sweet, thermogenic, emollient, stimulant, purgative, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, anthelmintic, febrifuge, diuretic and tonic. They are useful in vitiated conditions of vata and pitta, constipation, nephropathy, strangury, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoia, elephantiasis, dropshy, neuropathy, consumption, ulcers, helminthiasis, fever and delrium. The leaves are aphrodidiac, anthelmintic and tonic, and are useful in ulcers, inflammation, helminthiasis, cephalagia and general debility. The seeds are astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, alexipharmic and tonic. They are useful in gonorrhoea, consumption, sterility, vitiated contions of vata, and general debility. The hairs and flowers are vermifuge.
Traditional Preparation:
In Ayurveda, seeds are prescribed in the form of powder in doses of 20 to 40 grains in leucorrhea, spermatorrhea etc, and in cases requiring aphrodisiac action. A compound powder made of these seeds, and of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris taken in equal parts is recommended to be administered in doses of 1 drachm with sugar and tepid milk, as an aphrodisiac - (Susruta). Another Ayurvedic preparation (known as Vanari Vatika Boluses) is recommended in Bhava - prakash. It is made by boiling 32 tolas of the seeds in 4 seers of cow's milk till the milk becomes thick; seeds are then decorticated and pounded, then fried in ghee and made into a confection with double their weight in sugar. The mass is then divided into balls which are kept steeped in honey. Dose is about a tola. This is reportedly one of the best aphrodisiacs.
Traditional Ayurvedic Prescriptions:
1 - Take of Cowhage seeds 3, Tribulus terrestris 5, Poppy capsules 4, Hygrophila spinosa 3, Bombax malabaricum 3, Ochrocarpus longifolius 2, Curculigo orchioides and Asparagus adscendens 2, and sugar 2 parts. Mix and make a powder. Dose - 15 grains in milk for seminal weakness.
2 - Take of Cowhage, Mace, Camphor, Argyreia speciosa, Acorus calamus and sugar, all in equal parts. Mix and make a powder. Dose - 10 grains, useful in general debility.
3 - Take of Cowhage, Plumbago zeylanica white, dry ginger, long pepper, root of long pepper, mastiche, Cinnamomum cassia and cloves. Mix and make a pill mass. Used in colic, dyspepsia, worms etc.
Additional Remarks:
Dopamine is commonly associated with the 'pleasure system' of the brain, providing feelings of enjoyment and reinforcement to motivate us to do, or continue doing, certain activities. Certainly dopamine is released by naturally rewarding experiences such as food, sex, abuse of drugs and neutral stimuli that become associated with them. This theory is often discussed in terms of drugs which seem to directly produce dopamine release in these areas, and in relation to neurobiological theories of addiction, which argue that these dopamine pathways are pathologically altered in addicted persons.
However, the idea that dopamine is the 'reward chemical' of the brain now seems too simple as more evidence has been gathered. Dopamine is known to be released when unpleasant or aversive stimuli are encountered, suggesting that it is not only associated with 'rewards' or pleasure. Also, the firing of dopamine neurons occur when a pleasurable activity is expected, regardless of whether it actually happens or not. This suggests that dopamine may be involved in desire rather than pleasure.
Drugs that are known to reduce dopamine activity (e.g. antipsychotics) have been shown to reduce people's desire for pleasurable stimuli, despite the fact that they will rate them as just as pleasurable when they actually encounter or consume them. It seems that these drugs reduce the 'wanting' but not the 'liking', providing more evidence for the desire theory.
Main Actions (in order): anti-Parkinson's, androgenic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anabolic
Main Uses of Mucuna:
for Parkinson's disease (contains natural L-dopa)
for impotency and erectile dysfunction
as an aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone
as a muscle builder and anabolic/androgenic aid to stimulate growth hormone
as a weight loss aid
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:
anabolic, androgenic, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson's, antispasmodic, antivenin, aphrodisiac, febrifuge (reduces fever), hormonal, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:
antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), antiparasitic, cough suppressant, blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)
Medicinal Properties Action:
Herb - anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, astringent, nervine, tonic, rejuvenative.
Seeds - antihelmintic, astringent, nervine tonic, and an aphrodisiac
Root - nervine tonic, diuretic
Hairs on the pods - irritant, powerful vermifuge
Current Practical Uses:
Velvet bean has been gaining in popularity over the last few years in the natural products market - especially the sports nutrition industry. With its documented ability to increase testosterone and stimulate growth hormone (thereby increasing muscle mass), several companies have launched new products using mucuna beans, including several which are standardized to the L-dopa content. It is also showing up as an ingredient in various weight loss, libido, brain/memory, anti-aging, and body builder formulas. Consumers should be aware however, altering the levels of brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin also affect many other hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals which keep the body in balance. The long-term impacts on healthy humans taking high levels of L-dopa are unclear and warrant further research. It is best to proceed with caution when taking mucuna extracts and to follow the labeled dosages. It is a powerful plant with many biological actions that should be respected. In other words...the belief system of some people taking herbals supplements of: "if some is good, more is better," does not apply with velvet bean.
Main Preparation Method: capsules or standardize extract
Main Actions (in order): anti-Parkinson's, androgenic, aphrodisiac, hypoglycemic, anabolic
Main Uses: for Parkinson's disease (contains natural L-dopa);for impotency and erectile dysfunction;as an aphrodisiac and to increase testosterone;as a muscle builder and anabolic/androgenic aid to stimulate growth hormone;as a weight loss aid
Properties/Actions Documented by Research: anabolic, androgenic, analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson's, antispasmodic, antivenin, aphrodisiac, febrifuge (reduces fever), hormonal, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, nervine (balances/calms nerves), neurasthenic (reduces nerve pain)
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use: antilithic (prevents or eliminates kidney stones), antiparasitic, cough suppressant, blood cleanser, carminative (expels gas), central nervous system stimulant, diuretic, hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), menstrual stimulant, uterine stimulant, vermifuge (expels worms)
Safety and Cautions:
Do not use when congested.It contains L-dopa and has androgenic and hypoglycemic activity. See further cautions in next chapter.
No information about the safety of this herb is available.
Use caution. Ayurvedic herbs are often taken in combination to neutralize the toxicity one herb with the opposing effect of other. Do not take except under the supervision of a qualified professional.
Contraindications:
The seed may cause birth defects and has uterine stimulant activity. It should not be used during pregnancy.
Velvet bean has shown to lower blood sugar. Those with hypoglycemia or diabetes should only use Velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Velvet bean is contraindicated in combination with M.A.O. inhibitors.
Velvet bean has androgenic activity, increasing testosterone levels. Persons with excessive androgen syndromes should avoid using Velvet bean.
Velvet bean inhibits prolactin. If you have a medical condition resulting in inadequate levels of prolactin in the body, do not use Velvet bean unless under the direction or your healthcare practitioner.
The seed contains high quantities of L-dopa. Levodopa is the pharmaceutical medication used for Parkinson's disease. Those with Parkinson's should only use velvet bean under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Drug Interactions:
May potentiate androgenic medications.
May potentiate insulin and antidiabetic medications.
Will potentiate levodopa medications.
Worldwide Ethnomedical Uses:Country Uses
Brazil: as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, and nerve tonic, and for edema, intestinal worms,stems and leaves used by farmers as green fertilizers.
China: Li dou(mucuna pruriens) is the seed of Ma Niu Teng(other names as Lao Ya Teng,Lao Ya Zhen Tou,Li Dou Teng,Guo Shan Long,Wu Tong or Chang Chun Ma You Teng),greenish herb trees with length 10 meters.Grows and spread in shade of shrubs or big trees,widely available from provinces of China,such as Zhe Jiang,Jiang Xi,Fu Jian,Hu Bei,Si Chuan,Gui Zhou,Yun Nan,etc.Seed of Li Dou contains about 0.9% L-DOPA(Molecular Structure:C9H11NO4),form dopamine when enter to neuron systems,applicable for treatment of Parkinson's disease,relief toxicity from minerals such as magnesium and Cu.
Germany: for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, intestinal gas, muscle pain, rheumatism, worms
India: for abortions, cancer, catarrh, cholera, cough, debility, delerium, diabetes, diarrhea, diuretic, dysentery, edema, fertility, gout, impotency, kidney stones, menstrual disorders, nervousness, scorpion sting, snakebite, sterility, tuberculosis, worms, and as an aphrodisiac and uterine stimulant
Elsewhere: for asthma, burns, cancer, cholera, cough, cuts, diarrhea, diabetes, dog bite, edema, insanity, intestinal parasites, menstrual problems, mumps, nerves, pain, paralysis, pleurisy, ringworm, snakebite, sores, syphilis, tumors, wind-burns, worms, and as an aphrodisiac
Reference:
1.Mucuna pruriens,L-DOPA and its fame.
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