Sunday, August 3, 2014

Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson’s Disease

Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson’s Disease

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Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson’s Disease

Posted: 02 Aug 2014 08:00 AM PDT

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Physical instability, tremors, and muscle rigidity are devitalizing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that are often difficult to endure. Although its symptoms manifest physically, the disease itself results from an insufficient production of dopamine and the degeneration of brain tissue. With Parkinson’s disease cases on the rise, more researchers have felt an increased need for finding new methods and treatment options for sufferers.

According to the majority of Parkinson’s research, oxidative stress plays an integral role in the development of the disease. Antioxidants are helpful for reducing the impact oxidative stress (via free radicals) exerts on blood vessels, cells, and brain tissue. Most herbs and plants possess varying degrees of antioxidants, many of which are the focus of numerous nutritional studies geared toward the development of new and innovative treatments for chronic diseases.

One tropical plant that has caught a lot of attention recently is Mucuna pruriens. Ayurvedic traditions have used this legume to treat a wide range of ailments–Parkinson’s included. Recent research has focused on its protective effects thanks to its high antioxidant properties, and some studies have indicated that it may contain natural levels of L. dopa, a precursor to dopamine. Parkinson’s disease results in the dramatic decrease of dopamine production, an essential neurotransmitter, causing many health experts to encourage its possible implementation alongside traditional Parkinson’s disease therapies.

Mucuna Pruriens and Parkinson’s Treatment: A History

While the study of M. pruriens has only recently become more prevalent in scientific circles, its use for aiding Parkinson’s disease therapy has been known for centuries. Historical texts record methodical treatments of Parkinson’s as early as 300 BC, usually centering around the use of the powdered Mucuna pruriens seed. Current research may be validating its ancient healing claims, with studies consistently showing around 4-6% of L. dopa contained within the plant. [1] Additional therapies from India, China, and the Amazon for Parkinson’s disease include herbal preparations and applications, massage therapy, and acupuncture. [2]

Conventional Treatments

The most common treatment for Parkinson’s disease involves the administration of a synthetic version of levodopa. This treatment approach is designed to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, thus combating the effects of the disorder. As with many drugs, including synthetic versions of natural substances, there are a number of side effects that can result from their chronic use. Dizziness upon standing, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, and uncontrollable muscle movement [3] are just a few of the identified side effects accredited to the drug.

Modern science has distanced itself somewhat from the ancient healing wisdom attributed to many plants, including Mucuna pruriens. However, with a host of research studies confirming the plant’s undeniable benefit for Parkinson’s disease, health experts are beginning to take notice. Research into M. pruriens and its naturally-occurring levodopa has continued to produce positive results for Parkinson's patients.

Could Mucuna Pruriens Offer a Better Therapy?

Drug-induced involuntary muscle movement, or dyskinesia, is a common side effect of synthetic levodopa treatment. Considering that muscle control issues are an early symptom of Parkinson’s, a regular treatment protocol that further aggravates this problem is highly undesirable. As a result, potential treatments for the disease are rigorously tested in an attempt to decrease the worsening of symptoms in patients.

In animal models, L-dopa obtained from M. pruriens produced better results than synthetic levodopa. [4] Compared with synthetic levodopa treatments, Mucuna pruriens produces a unique interaction within the brain that may protect against treatment-induced dyskinesia. [5] While promising, further studies on human subjects are needed to determine its long-term treatment potential.

Although large-scale studies involving Mucuna pruriens and Parkinson’s patients have not been completed, the limited research to date has produced promising results. A double-blind randomized controlled trial of 8 Parkinson’s patients compared synthetic L-dopa treatment with M. pruriens. The patients selected for the study suffered from dyskinesia for a short period following conventional L-dopa treatment. All patients showed a faster dopamine-stimulating response to mucuna seed powder without the adverse side effects often experienced following conventional L-dopa administration. [6] Research like this suggests natural L-dopa (from M. pruriens) may offer advantages over current treatments in the management of Parkinson’s.

Cleansing During Parkinson’s Disease Therapy

I’ve always been a big proponent of cleansing and continue to reiterate its importance for combating chronic diseases related to toxin accumulation. This idea isn’t new or novel, and there is some research now available validating the effectiveness of a regular cleansing regimen for Parkinson's disease. One study involving 18 Parkinson’s disease patients examined the effectiveness of 200 mg L-dopa combined with a pre-cleansing therapy. The patients that underwent cleansing and L-dopa treatment showed significantly better results than those who did not. The cleansing patients enjoyed better motor function, less stiffness and cramps, and overall improved daily function. [7]

One Final Thought

Current research into Mucuna pruriens shows a great deal of promise for Parkinson’s patients, especially those that are seeking natural complementary approaches to their current therapies. Based on the available evidence, regular cleansing may be an excellent preventative measure for anyone trying to maintain brain health and reduce the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Incorporating M. pruriens into a daily routine may also be helpful; however, supplementation should be monitored carefully by a physician if taking pharmaceutical medications.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

  1. Ovallath S, Deepa P. The history of parkinsonism: descriptions in ancient Indian medical literature. Mov Disord. 2013 May;28(5):566-8. doi: 10.1002/mds.25420.
  2. Manyam BV, Sánchez-Ramos JR. Traditional and complementary therapies in Parkinson’s disease. Adv Neurol. 1999;80:565-74.
  3. Ramya KB, Thaakur S. Herbs containing L- Dopa: An update. Anc Sci Life. 2007 Jul;27(1):50-5.
  4. Lieu CA, Venkiteswaran K, Gilmour TP, Rao AN, Petticoffer AC, Gilbert EV, Deogaonkar M, Manyam BV, Subramanian T. The Antiparkinsonian and Antidyskinetic Mechanisms of Mucuna pruriens in the MPTP-Treated Nonhuman Primate. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:840247.
  5. Tharakan B, Dhanasekaran M, Mize-Berge J, Manyam BV. Anti-Parkinson botanical Mucuna pruriens prevents levodopa induced plasmid and genomic DNA damage. Phytother Res. 2007 Dec;21(12):1124-6.
  6. Katzenschlager R, Evans A, Manson A, Patsalos PN, Ratnaraj N, Watt H, Timmermann L, Van der Giessen R, Lees AJ. Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson’s disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2004 Dec;75(12):1672-7.
  7. Nagashayana N, Sankarankutty P, Nampoothiri MR, Mohan PK, Mohanakumar KP. Association of L-DOPA with recovery following Ayurveda medication in Parkinson’s disease. J Neurol Sci. 2000 Jun 15;176(2):124-7.

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