Knowing Your Beans in Parkinson's Disease: A Critical Assessment of Current Knowledge about Different Beans and Their Compounds in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease and in Animal Models

A validated LC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of L-dopa in Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

An analytical method based on ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI/MS/MS) was validated and applied for determining L-dopa in four ecotypes of Fagioli di Sarconi beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), marked with the European label PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). The selectivity of the proposed method was ensured by the specific fragmentation of the analyte. Simple isocratic chromatographic conditions and mass spectrometric detection in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) acquisition mode were used for sensitive quantification. The LC-ESI/MS/MS method was validated within a linear range of 0.001-5.000 μg/mL. Values of 0.4 and 1.1 ng/mL were obtained for the limits of detection and quantification, respectively. The repeatability, inter-day precision, and recovery values ranges were 0.6%-4.5%, 5.4%-9.9%, and 83%-93%, respectively. Fresh and dried beans, as well as pods, cultivated exclusively with organic methods avoiding any synthetic fertilizers and pesticides were analyzed showing an L-dopa content ranging from 0.020 ± 0.005 to 2.34 ± 0.05 μg/g dry weight.

Practical pearls to improve the efficacy and tolerability of levodopa in Parkinson's disease

INTRODUCTION

Levodopa is the most effective medication for the treatment of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several factors may affect the efficacy and tolerability of levodopa. These include the timing, dosage and administration of levodopa, concomitant drugs, food, PD-associated non motor symptoms, and various neurologic and non-neurologic comorbidities. If not appropriately addressed, these issues may limit levodopa efficacy, tolerability, and compliance.

AREAS COVERED

This article reviews the basics of the metabolism of orally administered levodopa, its side effects, and the factors that may affect its tolerability and efficacy. We provide several practical pearls to improve the tolerability and efficacy of levodopa.

EXPERT OPINION

Protein-rich food delays and reduces levodopa absorption. Hence, levodopa should preferably be administered in a relatively empty stomach. Carbidopa dosing is crucial as it not only enhances the entry of levodopa into the central nervous system, but also reduces levodopa's peripheral adverse effects. Patients experiencing the early side effects such as nausea/vomiting should be prescribed with anti-nausea medications that do not block dopamine receptors. Non-oral routes of administration can be used to obviate persistent gastrointestinal side effects. Implementation of these and other tips may help improve the tolerability and efficacy of levodopa.

Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's and in some other diseases: recent advancement and future prospective

Mucuna pruriens (Mp) is an annual and perennial legume which belongs to the family Fabaceae having different types of therapeutic activity. Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti-microbial, etc. are the example of some most common activities of Mp. It is widely utilized as a potent aphrodisiac. The anti-Parkinsonian activity of Mp was explored since the nineteenth century. The neuroprotective activity of Mp was shown by several researchers. Levodopa (L-DOPA) is the important constituents responsible for the anti-Parkinsonian activity of Mp. Apart from L-DOPA, several other important bioactive components like Ursolic acid (UA) and Betulinic acid (BA) also exhibit a similar neuroprotective activity. Parkinson's disease (PD) is mainly sporadic. A very small proportion shows the genetic nature of PD. The anti-Parkinsonian activity of Mp was explored in different toxin-induced PD models as like MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine), Rotenone, Paraquat, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) as suggested by several pieces of literature. Various parts of Mp's like seed, leaf, and stem exhibit potent neuroprotective attributes. Among different parts, seeds are widely utilized as anti-PD agents because of the higher percentage of L-DOPA. Besides anti-PD activity, Mp's neuroprotective potential was also explored in the ischemic model of stroke that also shows positive results. Recently, several clinical trials have been performed on the anti-PD activity of Mp on PD patients that show convincing results. Although, a small population-based study needs to be further validated in the broader population. Apart from anti-PD activity, Mp also shows its therapeutic activity in some other diseases like cancer, diabetes, skin infection, anemia, antihypertensive, etc. that are summarized in Table 1. In this review, we have discussed the anti-PD potential of Mp in the sporadic and genetic model along with some clinical trials that have performed on PD patients. Some other activity of Mp is also summarized in this review. There is a strong need to test the efficacy of Mp in some other neurodegenerative diseases along with PD. Following this, this review emphasizes the role of Mp in PD systematically through literature analysis available to date. [Table: see text].

An assessment of potential nutritive and medicinal properties of Mucuna pruriens: a natural food legume

Mucuna pruriens belongs to the Fabaceae family and is ordinarily known as velvet bean, in English cowitch and Hindi Kawaanch. The restorative quality of this bean makes it an excellent component in pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. Apart from high protein and starch content, these beans contain (l-Dopa) 3, 4-dihydroxy-l-phenylalanine, which exhibits several medicinal properties. However, it is poisonous when ingested by ruminants. The obstruction to the advancement of Mucuna as nutrition or food is the nearness of antinutrients, which are high as opposed to other uncommon vegetables. Also, this legume is considered as a future restorative herb because of its anticholesterolemic, anti-Parkinson, antioxidant, antidiabetic, sexual enhancing, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antivenom activities. It also exhibits anticancer activities, but very few studies have been done. The seeds of Mucuna pruriens also contain a vast range of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, reducing sugars, and tannins, which provide an avenue to explore it for wider applications. This review sheds light on the possible mechanism of action of Mucuna pruriens on some diseases (hypoglycemia, Parkinson's disease, microbial diseases and tumor). and also fills the gap in the studies of Mucuna pruriens. and Further more in vitro and in vivo studies should be done to explore the potential of these seeds against many diseases, its application as a food source, its antinutrient, and harmful properties as well as its nutraceutical perspective.