These two are discussed quite frequently on the forum so I decided to do some reading about them. Some members have reported better effects with Mucuna Pruriens (MP) while others are quite happy with Levodopa (L-Dopa) and see no need to to try anything else. Some on this forum have mentioned previously that MP is the same as L-Dopa, but this is only partially correct and is reflected in the following study showing that MP may actually perform better than L-Dopa with quicker onset of action and extended "on time" that is increased by 21.9% over L-Dopa.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
So, based on the study link above, MP would appear to have effects that L-Dopa does not, but if they are both just levodopa, how can that be? MP is a plant based form of L-Dopa and L-Dopa is a one component prescription drug. MP, like all other plants, contains many other components, one of which is L-Dopa. One of the other components contained in MP is Ursolic Acid (UA). UA is an interesting supplement that I have tried before. The following link confirms that MP has Ursolic Acid (UA) in it as well as Betulinic acid (BA). Both of these components have neuroprotective effects that L-Dopa does not and they have also shown other health benefits that L-Dopa alone does not. In Ayurveda, MP has shown health benefits in other disease states and health conditions as outlined in the following link, making it a little clearer why MP may be more effective for PwP.
This link shows the benefits of UA as might apply to PwP, but it is clear that these are just a few of the many positive health effects of of UA.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/331...
In the following study, it is shown that MP also contains Co-Q10 and NADH, two more components that have shown to have neuroprotective effects and antioxidant activities with NADH having potent antioxidant qualities.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/154...
The following study suggests that MP has much more activity than just L-Dopa alone and further suggests that MP also """protects or prevents the progression of the disease""".
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/286...
This more recent study (2017) suggests that MP also produces less dyskinesia than L-Dopa/Benserazide.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Given the above information, MP seems like a very good alternative to L-Dopa, while suggesting potential to be significantly more neuroprotective than L-Dopa. In the case of L-dopa, it does not seem to have other potential health benefits for PwP other than the known decrease in some symptoms which varies in each case or so it seems. Even though MP may seem like a good choice over L-Dopa, it is not without its detractions. With L-Dopa, your doctor prescribes the dose and times to take it. The average neurologist is not going to have a clue about MP, even if they are aware of it. So this means you will be pretty much on your own trying to figure out dosing and timing, but this forum may be of benefit in that regard as there are quite a few MP users who have shared their information regarding their use of MP. Here are some more possible health benefits that MP may offer to PwP.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
Another issue with L-Dopa is the significant number of side effects that are outlined here:
mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...
On the other hand, MP is not without side effects either, but the list does not seem nearly as long or as potentially serious :
apdaparkinson.org/article/m...
MP is not for everyone as I am sure there are more side effects than listed in the article above. Some people just prefer prescription drugs and MP would not be a consideration for that group. Others like the idea of using a natural plant that may have other health benefits for them that L-Dopa simply can't offer.
As far as dosing, for the most practical experiences it would be useful to ask the other forum members what is working for them.
So the next time someone asks if MP and L-Dopa are the same, you will have the answer, similar, but not exactly the same!
Art
Art, thanks for your time on this topic. I haven’t read all the attachments yet but will tomorrow. Here’s my question. I buy without a prescription 99% ldopa from Nutrivitashop. It doesn’t say Mucuna Prurines on the label. Some here say the ldopa in the Sinement is synthetic compared to the extracted version I purchase on line. Others say they are exactly the same thing. Why do you need a prescription for one but not the other if they are the same thing.
I'm not sure, Constance, but I suspect that at the time that L-Dopa came available as a drug (1970), little if anything was known about MP around the world except for people who follow Ayurveda. With a new drug coming out that was probably fairly pricey when it came out, the drug manufacturer was counting on people generally not knowing that a natural herb might offer the same or possibly better effects than their new drug and it would be helpful for that drug manufacturer if MP was never brought to light. With the advent of computers and the internet shortly after introduction of the drug, Levodopa, it is harder to keep that type of information out of the public eye. So when MP started to become more known in PD circles, it required no prescription since it is essentially an herbal supplement.
Clearly, MP and L-Dopa are not the same thing. MP offers neuroprotective effects through other constituents in MP like NADH, Co-Q10 , Betulinic Acid and Ursolic Acid. I just recently read a study that suggested that not only does L-Dopa not offer neuroprotection, but it may actually confer elevated oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory levels, so these two are definitely not the same! I will try and find that study and post it to this thread if I do. Here is one study, not the one I mentioned, but it shows reduced antioxidant status as a result of L-Dopa usage. Excess oxidative stress is a hallmark of PD. L-Dopa, at a minimum does not reduce oxidative stress, but MP does have antioxidative activity. I will try and find the other article.
researchgate.net/publicatio...
Art
"... not only does L-Dopa not offer neuroprotection, but it may actually confer elevated oxidative stress and elevated inflammatory levels..." (And raises homocysteine levels.)
Now you've gone and opened Pandora's box.
The oxidative stress seems like a given based on studies I have been able to read so far and with elevated levels comes increased inflammatory levels. Better studies elucidating exactly how much oxidative stress would be useful, but I can see where it might be a better situation where the treatment either does not cause elevated oxidative stress or increases total antioxidant capacity to at least offset any added oxidative stress since oxidative stress and inflammation are both major driving factors in PD progression already. So adding to these two in any way seems like a bad idea.
Here is a typical study showing that Levodopa increases oxidative stress:
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/268....
Art
Cons,
Once again Art, bless his heart, does an exhaustive job.
To summarize the links, MP acts quicker, last longer, and with fewer instances of dyskinesia then Sinemet. That's because of the synergy that occurs among the 400 other compounds that make up the plant. What is valuable about MP is not the levodopa, it's the rest of the plant.
In other words, the levodopa in MP is not better than the levodopa in Sinemet.
There are a lot of plants that contain compounds that are the same as synthesized pharmaceuticals. Plants are the source of most pharmaceuticals. Needless to say, the FDA has no authority over what plants we put in our mouth -- thank God.
This is same for vitamins. There are a lot of instances where vitamins when taken as a part of the whole plant are more beneficial then the same vitamin when it is isolated, extracted or synthesized.
Big Pharma cannot out do Mother Nature.
PS. If by 99%, you/it means 99% levodopa, then it's not MP, it's levodopa. Sounds like you're taking straight levodopa? (Which will not confer the benefits of MP.)
Yes, but I’ve been taking Barlowes 40% Mucuna Prurines for a couple of years when I added 99% ldopa 6 months ago.
This thread is very helpful and I truly appreciate your input as well as Art’s.
Do you take both? If so when, how much?
I try to mix it up so I get the best benefits from a variety of products. I’m going to add the 5-7% Mucuna to my protocol. I think you have to find what works best for you. My protocol varies.
I agree, Marc!
Companies often try to isolate a compound from a plant in the hopes of being able to patent it in order to make their testing worthwhile and profitable toward ultimately producing a new drug to increase the profit for that company. MP is thought to have other benefits such as potentially being an anticancer agent among many other possibilities.
Art
Constance,
Art already answered your question. May I add that L/C is a synthetic form made by pharmaceutical companies in their labs. It's not just Levodopa but also Carbidopa, a med. They pass on the resulted product (Sinemet or what other name they give it) to doctors for prescription. That is how pharmaceutical companies make their profits.
If only mother (nature) could sue for patent infringement, the pharmaceutical industry could fit in my basement.