title: Mucuna pruriens for Parkinson's disease: Low-cost preparation method, laboratory measures and pharmacokinetics profile.
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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy. Electronic address: erica.cassani@live.it.
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassani
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cilia
authors.affiliation: Neurology Clinic, Clinica Niño Jesus, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Janeth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laguna
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barichella
authors.affiliation: IRCCS-Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contin
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Dietetics Service, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cereda
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, LAMB Pierfranco & Luisa Mariani, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Ioannis U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Isaias
authors.affiliation: Instituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, CNR, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sparvoli
authors.affiliation: Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akpalu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Agricultural Research, College of Agriculture & Consumer Sciences, University of Ghana, Ghana.
authors.forename: Kwabena Ofosu
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Budu
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.affiliation: Parkinson Institute, ASST G.Pini-CTO, ex ICP, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pezzoli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D031299:Mucuna / Q000737:chemistry*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D065105:Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D007980:Levodopa
keywords: Levodopa; Mucuna pruriens; Parkinson's disease