Velvet bean (Mucunapruriens) – a hope for Parkinson’s Disease

[Farooqji]

Medicinal uses of Mucuna pruriens

Anti-Parkinson’s activity: The clinical syndrome of Parkinsonism was identified in ancient India even before the period of Christ and was treated methodically. According to Bhasavarajyam, the Parkinsonism was treated by the administration of powdered seed of M. pruriens containing 4 to 6% of levodopa (Ovallath and Deepa, 2013). Hussian and Manyam (1997) indicated that for the dose, M. pruriens showed twice the anti-Parkinsonian activity of synthetic L-DOPA. Katzenschlager et al. (2004) revealed that 30 g Mucuna seed powder preparation faster action in treating long term management of Parkinson’s disease patients than conventional standard drugs, namely, Levodopa or Carbidopa.

Anti glycaemic effect:Using a combination of chromatographic and NMR techniques, the presence of D-chiro-inositol and its two galacto-derivatives having antiglycaemic effect was demonstrated in M. pruriens seeds.

Hypoglycemic activity: The aqueous extract of the seeds of M. pruriens (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight) was investigated in normal, glucose load conditions and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In normal and STZ diabetic rats - significantly reduced the blood glucose levels 2 h after oral administration of seed extract. It also significantly lowered the blood glucose in STZ diabetic rats after 21 days of daily oral administration of the extract.

Antioxidant activity: In vitro assays - whole plant of ethyl acetate and methanolic extract of M. pruriens, containing large amounts of phenolic compounds, exhibited high antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. They served as a significant source of natural antioxidant, which might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses.

Anti venom activity: About 0.16 and 0.19 mg of M. pruriens seed extracts were able to completely neutralise the lethal activity of 2LD50 of cobra and krait venom, respectively.

Aphrodisiac activity:Studies say that oral administration of 5 g of Mucuna seed powder once in a day for men not only reactivates the antioxidant defence mechanism, but also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.

Antimicrobial activity:M. pruriens is also used for antimicrobial properties for extracting plant metabolites against plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The methanolic extract showed high antibacterial activity against Erwiniacarotovora, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas marginalis, Pseudomonas acruginosa, Xanthomonascampestris and High anti fungal activity against Curvularialunata, Fusariumoxysporum, Pencilliumexpansum, Rhizoctoniasolani, Tiarosporellaphaseolina, Ustilagopomaydis.

Safe dose : 15 to 30g Mucuna seed powder preparation has considerable faster action in treating PD patients than conventional standard drug.

fnbnews.com/Top-News/velvet...

[park_bear]

All that is nice but I see no evidence here that it modifies the underlying disease condition.

[sharoncrayn]

"Katzenschlager et al. (2004) revealed that 30 g Mucuna seed powder preparation faster action in treating long term management of Parkinson’s disease patients than conventional standard drugs, namely, Levodopa or Carbidopa."

30 grams vs. single dose of 50/200 with 8 participants. Mean ON time with MP = +37 mins. "No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred."

Hardly worth citing. Poor design, 30 grams is probably barely tolerable, not enough participants.

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Surely people can tolerate 30g of dried beans? Does it say how to eat it?

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

it was a powder dear, not cooked beans. 30 grams of powder is a lot per day even when split up. most people would gag after several days at this rate.

from my baking days, I would estimate 10-12 teaspoons/day, or 3 tspns x 4.

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

I know it’s a powder. Is it just ground bean? Ie is it just dried raw or cooked bean, ground?

Is levodopa destroyed if it is cooked? If not why can’t you just eat the bean in cooking? Then it doesn’t seem much if you eat it as a vege. Or does it taste bad?Does it have lectins like other beans and if it is raw does it upset the stomach ?

Even just a powder can be stirred into wet food. I give hubby a spoonful stirred into his porridge in the mornings and it doesn’t have much flavour. He doesn’t really notice it.

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

Non-extracted is just dried, filtered, and ground seeds and/or beans.... RAW!...from white or brown seeds/beans. i.e. Kapikachhu.

I have never eaten the whole raw or cooked MP bean.

depending on temp, l-dopa is NOT denatured like vitamins can be with any cooking. High temps (i.e. > boiling) will denature it to some extent because non-extracted MP is very low % wise of L-dopa. Hence powder dosage has to be high (probably at least 2 grams/dose x 4) given the low % and gut microbiome problems (for some pwp.). Cooked bean consumption has to be very high, which is somewhat unrealistic.

MP powder can be brown or white. Some browns can be tangy.

Lectin is NOT always a negative. "the presence of a lectin in Brazilian seeds of M. pruriens showed antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antihemolytic properties and activities."

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Thanks. Interesting it can be cooked. Ours isn’t very strong. Tastes a bit beany!Do you know how the levodopa is affected by protein in the bean? I always am confused that they say to take the drugs away from meals yet in nature it comes packaged with protein.

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

MP is an incomplete protein source, as are all beans. hence, beans + rice + tortilla meal.

the dominant amino acid takes precedence (probably lysine) in terms of transit time.

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

So does that affect the amount of levodopa getting to the brain? At the moment I am mixing some into porridge.

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

no simple answer. multiple variables, but other amino acids (most likely LNAAs) will compete for transit time (although some studies debate this conclusion)

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Ok, So it is the transit time that is the issue? Ie is it because if it is too slow it breaks down before getting into brain? So the protein doesn’t actually react with it? He doesn’t have constipation thankfully so is pretty regular on that front so maybe not as much of an issue as it would be if he was constipated?

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

the issue is that MP contains very little L-dopa (0.5% - 6%) depending on variety, etc.) in a food package with other amino acids. hence, low bioavailability in raw powder form compared to sinemet IR.

another issue is tolerability:

"Daily intake of MP was associated with a variable clinical response, especially in terms of tolerability. Seven patients (50%) discontinued MP prematurely due to either gastrointestinal side-effects (n = 4) or progressive worsening of motor performance (n = 3), while nobody discontinued during the LD/CD phase. In those who tolerated MP, clinical response to MP was similar to LD/CD on all efficacy outcome measures."

Also, don't combine or follow sinemet with MP; L-dopa Cmax values for sinemet could decline.

"Levodopa bioavailability was markedly lower after Mucuna administration compared with LD standard formulations: in patient 1, peak plasma LD concentration (Cmax) decreased from 2.0 to 1.0 mg/L and the area under the plasma concentration time curve from 137 to 33.6 mg/L per minute; in patient 2, Cmax was 0.7 mg/L after LD/benserazide and nearly undetectable after Mucuna. In patient 1, impaired LD bioavailability from Mucuna resulted in reduced duration and overall extent of drug response compared with LD/carbidopa. In patient 2, no significant subacute LD motor response was observed in either condition."

Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson Disease: A Kinetic-Dynamic Comparison With Levodopa Standard Formulations

sharon

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Interesting. Could that be due to the protein in it?

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

due to other amino acids in MP perhaps large neutral amino acids

Influence of fluctuations of plasma large neutral amino acids with normal diets on the clinical response to levodopa. Nutt 1989

"Plasma large neutral amino acids (LNAAs) compete with levodopa for entry into the brain. Fluctuations in plasma LNAA concentrations could therefore contribute to variability in clinical response to levodopa. " (Nutt)

However....................." It is concluded that in most patients, the relatively small variation in plasma LNAAs in comparison with the large variations in plasma levodopa indicates that fluctuations in LNAA are not an important contributor to the fluctuating response to levodopa.

sharon

[Husbandcare in reply to LAJ12345]

I have read that to break the brain barrier it must be taken with fruit juice or green tea.

[LAJ12345 in reply to sharoncrayn]

Is there a danger if people without Parkinson’s eat it out of interest? Can I try it out in various cooking to see if it’s palatable or can I get addicted to it🤣

[sharoncrayn in reply to LAJ12345]

I don't think so, except if over dosing it.

[Husbandcare in reply to LAJ12345]

People take it for energy and brain sharpness. But they can take it in pill form. Not sure the dose. Some people feel it is too strong.

[Fava-1]

Mucuna is a good supplement for upping dopamine for PD. I even grew it 2 years. It is a warm weather crop and fava beans like cool weather like peas. Mucuna is a bit too powerful for my body system, but it works super well for most people. If I were to not be able to make a crop of fava, I would take a small dose of mucuna before doing pharmaceuticals.

[sharoncrayn in reply to Fava-1]

non-extract powders: fava < 2% L-dopa; MP = about 3-6% depending on the brand.

[pdpatient]

@farooqji, your research is correct, the ancient Indians knew about Levodopa / Mucuna Pruriens about 4500 years ago. The so called "shaking palsy" was "discovered by an English gentleman who is given a all the credit, but knowing the history behind the UK and India, I wouldn't put plagiarism out of the picture.

Regardless, it is sometimes a little discouraging that after 4500 years of human evolution, levodopa is still the gold standard answer for Parkinson's.

For others commenting on this thread, please be aware that there is Mucuna Pruriens beans and Fava beans. You are welcome to make a burrito out of Fava beans. If you try to eat the Mucuna Pruriens beans, you will find yourself feeling quite some sorry for yourself 😂

RKM

[MarionP in reply to pdpatient]

"You are welcome to make a burrito out of Fava beans. If you try to eat the Mucuna Pruriens beans, you will find yourself feeling quite some sorry for yourself."

Please elaborate.