Erica Cassani1, Roberto Cilia2, Janeth Laguna3, Michela Barichella2, Manuela Contin4, Emanuele Cereda5, Ioannis U Isaias6, Francesca Sparvoli7, Albert Akpalu8, Kwabena Ofosu Budu9, Maria Teresa Scarpa2, Gianni Pezzoli2. 1. Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: erica.cassani@live.it. 2. Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy. 3. Neurology Clinic, Clinica Niño Jesus, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. 4. IRCCS-Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. 5. Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy. 6. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, LAMB Pierfranco & Luisa Mariani, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. 7. Instituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, Milan, Italy. 8. Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana. 9. Institute of Agricultural Research, College of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition. Levodopa (LD) is the gold standard therapy for PD patients. Most PD patients in low-income areas cannot afford long-term daily Levodopa therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate if Mucuna pruriens (MP), a legume with high LD content that grows in tropical regions worldwide, might be potential alternative for poor PD patients. METHODS: We analyzed 25 samples of MP from Africa, Latin America and Asia. We measured the content in LD in various MP preparations (dried, roasted, boiled). LD pharmacokinetics and motor response were recorded in four PD patients, comparing MP vs. LD+Dopa-Decarboxylase Inhibitor (DDCI) formulations. RESULTS: Median LD concentration in dried MP seeds was 5.29%; similar results were obtained in roasted powder samples (5.3%), while boiling reduced LD content up to 70%. Compared to LD+DDCI, MP extract at similar LD dose provided less clinical benefit, with a 3.5-fold lower median AUC. CONCLUSION: Considering the lack of a DDCI, MP therapy may provide clinical benefit only when content of LD is at least 3.5-fold the standard LD+DDCI. If long-term MP proves to be safe and effective in controlled clinical trials, it may be a sustainable alternative therapy for PD in low-income countries.
BACKGROUND:Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition. Levodopa (LD) is the gold standard therapy for PDpatients. Most PDpatients in low-income areas cannot afford long-term daily Levodopa therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate if Mucuna pruriens (MP), a legume with high LD content that grows in tropical regions worldwide, might be potential alternative for poor PDpatients. METHODS: We analyzed 25 samples of MP from Africa, Latin America and Asia. We measured the content in LD in various MP preparations (dried, roasted, boiled). LD pharmacokinetics and motor response were recorded in four PDpatients, comparing MP vs. LD+Dopa-Decarboxylase Inhibitor (DDCI) formulations. RESULTS: Median LD concentration in dried MP seeds was 5.29%; similar results were obtained in roasted powder samples (5.3%), while boiling reduced LD content up to 70%. Compared to LD+DDCI, MP extract at similar LD dose provided less clinical benefit, with a 3.5-fold lower median AUC. CONCLUSION: Considering the lack of a DDCI, MP therapy may provide clinical benefit only when content of LD is at least 3.5-fold the standard LD+DDCI. If long-term MP proves to be safe and effective in controlled clinical trials, it may be a sustainable alternative therapy for PD in low-income countries.
Authors: Mogana Rajagopal; Alok K Paul; Ming-Tatt Lee; Anabelle Rose Joykin; Choo-Shiuan Por; Tooba Mahboob; Cristina C Salibay; Mario S Torres; Maria Melanie M Guiang; Mohammed Rahmatullah; Rownak Jahan; Khoshnur Jannat; Polrat Wilairatana; Maria de Lourdes Pereira; Chooi Ling Lim; Veeranoot Nissapatorn Journal: Plants (Basel) Date: 2022-05-08
Authors: Bekir Akgun; Aysel Sarı; Sait Ozturk; Fatih Serhat Erol; Ibrahim Hanifi Ozercan; Ramazan Ulu Journal: Med Princ Pract Date: 2017-09-11 Impact factor: 1.927