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Agro-Technology of Important Medicinal Plants
Published in Namrita Lall, Medicinal Plants for Cosmetics, Health and Diseases, 2022
Nikita Patel, Swetal Patel, Abdullahi A. AbdulRahaman, Ramar Krishnamurthy
Velvet bean is commonly known as cowhage and atmagupta/kewach in Hindi. It is an annual and tropical climber belonging to the family Leguminosae. It is reported to be found throughout tropical conditions of Indian regions and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The pods (Figure 25.1G) of this plant bear trichomes/hairs (on the outer surface of pods), which causes itching upon contact. The seeds of Mucuna pruriens have shown considerable variation in their morphology and chemical composition including 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa) at 2–6%, and yield associated characteristics (Krishnamurthy et al., 2002, 2003b, 2005b). Different parts of Mucuna pruriens are used in traditional and modern medicine. They possess critical bioactive compounds which are used in the treatment of bone fractures, snake bites, cough, syphilis and wounds. Apart from critical bioactive compounds, Mucuna pruriens possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson and aphrodisiac properties (Divya et al., 2017). Collections of Mucuna pruriens assembled from different regions of India showed that there is a direct correlation between seed yield and other seed characteristics (Krishnamurthy et al., 2005b).
Biodiversity Bioprospection with Respect to Medicinal Plants
Published in Jayanta Kumar Patra, Gitishree Das, Sanjeet Kumar, Hrudayanath Thatoi, Ethnopharmacology and Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants, 2019
Abhishek Kumar Dwivedy, Vipin Kumar Singh, Somenath Das, Anand Kumar Chaudhari, Neha Upadhyay, Akanksha Singh, Archana Singh, Nawal Kishore Dubey
These compounds obtained from different parts of the plants like seeds of Mucuna pruriens are an important source of L-dopa which helps in the treatment of most important neuro-degenerative Parkinson’s disease. Similarly, the bark of a yew tree (Taxus brevifolia), leaf of Catharanthus roseus and stem/bark of Camptotheca acuminata bears important photochemical compound having antitumor potential. Furthermore, some plants like Galanthus woronowii and Gingko biloba bear compound having anticholinesterase activity and helps in the treatment of the so called neuro-degenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease.
Natural Medicines
Published in Dilip Ghosh, Pulok K. Mukherjee, Natural Medicines, 2019
Ashok Vaidya, Hiteshi Dhami-Shah, Shobha Udipi
Mucuna pruriens seed powder has been shown to be effective and safe in the management of Parkinson’s disease (Vaidya et al. 1978; Manyam 1990; Katzenschlager et al. 2004). This is a drug in Ayurveda, but it is sold widely in the United States as a dietary supplement. The plant contains substantial amounts of l-dopa and indole alkaloids. The plant has been reported to cause toxic psychosis (Infante et al. 1990), and a concomitant administration of an MAO inhibitor with Mucuna pruriens can be hazardous (Sjoqvist 1965). Warnings for such side effects, although common in l-dopa drug leaflets, are hardly ever seen on the current DS packages of Mucuna pruriens. Unlike such laissez-faire approaches in DS, the usage of NM needs appropriate package inserts with precautions, contraindications, interactions and the detailed instruction on dosage and concomitant drugs and diet.
Seed extract of Thai Mucuna pruriens reduced male reproductive damage in rats induced by chronic stress
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022
Natthapol Lapyuneyong, Nareelak Tangsrisakda, Pannawat Choowong-In, Kowit Chaisiwamongkol, Nongnut Uabundit, Tarinee Sawatpanich, Supatcharee Arun, Alexander Tsang-Hsien Wu, Sitthichai Iamsaard
As documented, many potential plant extracts such as Phyllanthus emblica L. (Phyllanthaceae) leaf, Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) leaf and Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) seed were shown to improve the male reproductive damages caused by stress (Prabsattroo et al. 2015; Arun et al. 2018; Ashidi et al. 2019). The seed of Mucuna pruriens (MP), a miracle bean commonly used in Indian traditional medicine, has been reported to have various phytochemical substances (Agbafor and Nwachukwu 2011; Nwaoguikpe et al. 2011; Anosike et al. 2019). In addition, the major substance reported in MP seeds is l-DOPA stimulating GnRH secretion, resulted in increased sex hormones (Vermes et al. 1979; Misra and Wagner 2004; Shukla et al. 2009; Singh et al. 2013; Mutwedu et al. 2019). Moreover, such seeds have been demonstrated to improve the male reproductive dysfunction caused by stress (Ashidi et al. 2019).
Herb–drug interactions: a mechanistic approach
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2022
Ajay Kumar Sharma, Vijay Kumar Kapoor, Gurjot Kaur
Activities of other metabolizing enzymes have also been affected by ingested herbs. Cinnamomum verum bark extract in conjunction with acarbose inhibited intestinal α-glycosidase and pancreatic α-amylase activity in in vitro experiments (Adisakwattana et al.2011). Ethanol extract of leaf of Azadirachta indica increased aniline hydroxylase activity and inhibited NADPH cytochrome P450 reductase activity in rat liver microsomes (Iwu et al.1986). These enzymes may modify the drug’s action independent of changes in its metabolism inside the body. A few diet interactions have also been reported. Interaction at the pharmacokinetic level i.e. increased plasma concentrations of various boswellic acids was observed for Boswellia serrata (Salai guggal) gum extract with a high-fat meal in a single-dose cross-over study in 12 healthy volunteers implying a role of fats in boswellic acid absorption (Sterk et al.2004). Similarly, Mucuna pruriens (Kaunch) increased L-dopa plasma concentrations in five healthy volunteers (Mahajani et al.1996).
Prevention of seminal vesicle damage by Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens seed extract in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice
Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2023
Sitthichai Iamsaard, Somboon Kietinun, Jintana Sattayasai, Kingkan Bunluepuech, Alexander Tsang-Hsien Wu, Pannawat Choowong-In
The seed of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) has traditionally been used as a source of herbal medicine in Ayurveda, often used in treating of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Parkinson disease, metabolic syndromes and male infertility (Divya et al. 2017). M. pruriens seeds are rich in various nutrient molecules, especially L-3,4-dihydroxyphenyl alanine (L-DOPA), and contain flavonoids and polyphenols (Misra and Wagner 2007; Longhi et al. 2011; Pathania et al. 2020). In addition, the seed extract possesses antioxidative, immunomodulation, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Parkinson’s, anti-depressant, antidiabetic, anticholesterolemic, antivenom and anticancer effects (Divya et al. 2017; Rai et al. 2017; Sinha et al. 2018; Pathania et al. 2020). Pharmacological studies showed that M. pruriens demonstrated repro-protective property by decreasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and increasing of antioxidant enzyme levels in sperm aged rat (Suresh et al. 2010). In previous studies, it was reported that M. pruriens can improve sexual behavior and libido induced in diabetic male rat (Suresh and Prakash 2012). Seed extract of M. pruriens can improve sperm parameters and increase serum sex hormone and catecholamine levels in infertile men (Shukla et al. 2009). Moreover, M. pruriens seeds can increase neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and AR expression in the dorsal nerve of the penis (Seppan et al. 2020). In Thai folk medicine, Thai M. pruriens or T-MP has also been used to treat wounds, Parkinson’s disease, insect poisoning and male sexual dysfunction (Ayuraved Wittayarai Foundation 1998). T-MP seed extract has been prescribed for treatment of erectile dysfunction at a dosage of 1–2 g per 200 mL of warm water. Folk healers have also used T-MP seeds as a health tonic, aphrodisiac, and for male rejuvenation. Due to its antioxidant capacity, T-MP has been reported to enhance testosterone levels and sperm characteristics and to increase testicular AR, AKAP4 and TyrPho protein expression (Iamsaard et al. 2020). T-MP is quantified for L-DOPA and has been shown to improve sexual performance and testicular markers in CUMS mice (Choowong-In et al. 2021a). Indeed, T-MP extract has recently shown to protect only testicular injury and low sperm quality in stress and alcoholic animal models (Tangsrisakda et al. 2022; Choowong-In et al. 2021a). However, such effects have never been reported in the seminal vesicles of stress mice. This study thus aimed to investigate the protective effect of T-MP seed extract on seminal tissue and fluid impairment in CUMS mice.