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PubMed2004

Effect of acetylation and succinylation on solubility profile, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and emulsifying properties of mucuna bean (Mucuna pruriens) protein concentrate.

Mucuna protein concentrate was acylated with succinic and acetic anhydride. The effects of acylation on solubility, water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity and emulsifying properties were investigated. The pH-dependent solubility profile of unmodified mucuna protein concentrate (U-mpc) showed a decrease in solubility with decrease in pH and resolubilisation at pH values acidic to isoelectric pH (pH 4). Apart from pH 2, both acetylated mucuna protein concentrates (A-mpc) and succinylated mucuna protein concentrate (S-mpc) had improved solubility over the unmodified derivative. Acylation increased the water absorption capacity (WAC) at all levels of ionic strength (0.1-1.0 M). WAC of the protein samples increased with increase in ionic strength up to 0.2 M after which a decline occurred with increase in ionic strength from 0.4-1.0 M. When protein solutions were prepared in salts of various ions, increase in WAC followed the Hofmeister series in the order: NaSCN < NaClO4 < NaI < NaBr < NaCl < Na2SO. Acetylation improved the oil absorption capacity while the lipophilic tendency reduced the following succinylation. Emulsifying capacity increased with increase in concentration up to 2, 4 and 5% w/v for U-mpc, A-mpc and S-mpc, respectively, after which an increase in concentration reduced the emulsifying capacity. Both acetylation and succinylation significantly (P < 0.05) improved the emulsifying capacity at pH 4-10. Initial increase in ionic strength up to 0.4 M for U-mpc and 0.4 M for A-mpc and S-mpc increased the emulsion capacity progressively. Further increase in ionic strength reduced emulsion capacity (EC). Contrary to the effect of various salts on WAC, increase in EC generally follows the series Na2SO4 < NaCl < NaBr < NaI < NaClO4 < NaSCN. At all levels of ionic strength studied, S-mpc had a better emulsifying activity (EA) than both A-mpc and U-mpc. EA and emulsifying stability (ES) were pH-dependent. Maximum EA and ES were recorded at pH 10. ES of protein derivatives were higher than those of U-mpc in the range of pH 4-10 but lower at pH 2. Studies revealed that both A-mpc and S-mpc had better ES and EA than the unmodified derivative when protein solutions were prepared in salts of various anions.

Absorption↗

PubMed2004

Preference of sheep for three forms of mucuna forage and the effect of supplementation with mucuna forage on the performance of sheep.

Assessment of the preference of sheep for fresh, dried or ensiled forms of mucuna (Mucuna pruriens var utilis) forage was followed by investigations into the effect of supplementing straw-based diets with the forage. Four sheep were offered fresh, dried and ensiled forms of the forage in a cafeteria style to assess their preference. In the second experiment, 20 sheep were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, namely, alkali-treated straw only (M0), treated straw supplemented with mucuna forage at 0.3% (M10), 0.6% (M20) or 0.75% (M25) of body weight (approximately 10%, 20% and 25%, respectively, of the total dry matter intake). The daily feed intakes were determined and the sheep were weighed weekly for 10 weeks. The sheep showed a marked preference for fresh mucuna forage over either the dried or ensiled forms. The total dry matter intake increased by 15% and 21%, respectively, with M20 and M25. All the groups lost weight over the feeding period. However, only M0 gave weight losses during the second half of the feeding period. The feed conversion efficiency followed a trend similar to that for weight gains. M20 had the greatest effect on growth and feed conversion efficiency.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2004

Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens.

Mucuna pruriens possesses significantly higher antiparkinson activity compared with levodopa in the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease. The present study evaluated the neurorestorative effect of Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the nigrostriatal tract of 6-OHDA lesioned rats. Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder significantly increased the brain mitochondrial complex-I activity but did not affect the total monoamine oxidase activity (in vitro). Unlike synthetic levodopa treatment, Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder treatment significantly restored the endogenous levodopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin content in the substantia nigra. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and coenzyme Q-10, that are shown to have a therapeutic benefit in Parkinson's disease, were present in the Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder. Earlier studies showed that Mucuna pruriens treatment controls the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This additional finding of a neurorestorative benefit by Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder on the degenerating dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra may be due to increased complex-I activity and the presence of NADH and coenzyme Q-10.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Mucuna pruriens in Parkinson's disease: a double blind clinical and pharmacological study.

BACKGROUND: The seed powder of the leguminous plant, Mucuna pruriens has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic Indian medicine for diseases including parkinsonism. We have assessed the clinical effects and levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacokinetics following two different doses of mucuna preparation and compared them with standard L-dopa/carbidopa (LD/CD). METHODS: Eight Parkinson's disease patients with a short duration L-dopa response and on period dyskinesias completed a randomised, controlled, double blind crossover trial. Patients were challenged with single doses of 200/50 mg LD/CD, and 15 and 30 g of mucuna preparation in randomised order at weekly intervals. L-dopa pharmacokinetics were determined, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and tapping speed were obtained at baseline and repeatedly during the 4 h following drug ingestion. Dyskinesias were assessed using modified AIMS and Goetz scales. RESULTS: Compared with standard LD/CD, the 30 g mucuna preparation led to a considerably faster onset of effect (34.6 v 68.5 min; p = 0.021), reflected in shorter latencies to peak L-dopa plasma concentrations. Mean on time was 21.9% (37 min) longer with 30 g mucuna than with LD/CD (p = 0.021); peak L-dopa plasma concentrations were 110% higher and the area under the plasma concentration v time curve (area under curve) was 165.3% larger (p = 0.012). No significant differences in dyskinesias or tolerability occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid onset of action and longer on time without concomitant increase in dyskinesias on mucuna seed powder formulation suggest that this natural source of L-dopa might possess advantages over conventional L-dopa preparations in the long term management of PD. Assessment of long term efficacy and tolerability in a randomised, controlled study is warranted.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2004

Effect of antiparkinson drug HP-200 (Mucuna pruriens) on the central monoaminergic neurotransmitters.

HP-200, which contains Mucuna pruriens endocarp, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Mucuna pruriens endocarp has also been shown to be more effective compared to synthetic levodopa in an animal model of Parkinson's disease. The present study was designed to elucidate the long-term effect of Mucuna pruriens endocarp in HP-200 on monoaminergic neurotransmitters and its metabolite in various regions of the rat brain. HP-200 at a dose of 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 g/kg/day was mixed with rat chow and fed daily ad lib to Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6 for each group) for 52 weeks. Controls (n = 6) received no drug. Random assignment was made for doses and control. The rats were sacrificed at the end of 52 weeks and the neurotransmitters were analyzed in the cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and striatum. Oral administration of Mucuna pruriens endocarp in the form of HP-200 had a significant effect on dopamine content in the cortex with no significant effect on levodopa, norepinephrine or dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites- HVA, DOPAC and 5-HIAA in the nigrostriatal tract. The failure of Mucuna pruriens endocarp to significantly affect dopamine metabolism in the striatonigral tract along with its ability to improve Parkinsonian symptoms in the 6-hydorxydopamine animal model and humans may suggest that its antiparkinson effect may be due to components other than levodopa or that it has an levodopa enhancing effect.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2001

Indigenous mucuna tempe as functional food.

The aim of the present study was to obtain the nutritive and bioactive compounds of mucuna tempe and the consumer preference of its formulated snack. The tempe was made traditionally from mucuna prurience seeds using 'ragi tempe' as inoculants. Proximate, vitamin, mineral and dietary fibre analysis was done using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, isoflavone was analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an RP-18 column and a UV detector. The preference test was done using scoring methods by trained panelists. The study demonstrates that compared with soybean tempe, mucuna tempe had a higher dietary fibre level, but lower vitamin E content. The mucuna tempe contains 31.5% protein, 7.3% fat, 3.0% ash, 58.1% carbohydrate and 9.1% fibre. It contains 0.551 mg/L isoflavone aglucone; daidzin is the highest, followed by Factor II (6,7,4 trihydroxy isoflavone) that is much higher than that of soybeans tempe. These are much higher isoflavone aglucone contents than found in soybeans tempe. The preference score for a 20% mucuna tempe-based snack was not significantly different compared with control or with the preference score for a 10% soybean tempe-based snack. This preliminary study needs to be followed by both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Biological Availability↗

PubMed2004

The differential anti-proliferation effect of white (Pueraria mirifica), red (Butea superba), and black (Mucuna collettii) Kwao Krua plants on the growth of MCF-7 cells.

The differential anti-proliferation effect of white (Pueraria mirifica), red (Butea superba) and black (Mucuna collettii) Kwao Krua plant extracts on the growth of MCF-7 cells was evaluated after 4 days of incubation. The percent cell growth comparison was based on protein determination of the harvested cells in parallel with the control group and Pueraria lobata treatment group. Pueraria lobata led to no proliferation and a mild anti-proliferation effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells. Pueraria mirifica caused proliferation at 1 microg/mL and an anti-proliferative effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells at 100 and 1000 microg/mL with an ED50 value of 642.83 microg/mL. Butea superba led to no proliferation and an anti-proliferation effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells at 10, 100 and 1000 microg/mL with an ED50 value of 370.91 microg/mL. Mucuna collettii led to no proliferation and an anti-proliferation effect on the growth of MCF-7 cells at 100 and 1000 microg/mL with an ED50 value of 85.36 microg/mL. The results demonstrated that only Pueraria mirifica showed an estrogenic effect on MCF-7 cell growth and a clear antagonistic effect with E2 at high concentration. Butea superba and Mucuna collettii exhibited only anti-proliferation effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells in relation with a possible anti-estrogen mechanism or a potent cytotoxic effect.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗

PubMed1981

Some emulsifying and suspending properties of a polysaccharide gum derived from Mucuna flagillepes, Papilionaceae.

The emulsifying and suspending properties of a new polysaccharide gum derived from an edible bean, Mucuna flagillepes have been investigated. The stability of the emulsion prepared with the gum was compared with that of emulsions prepared with acacia or tragacanth. Sherman's equations for concentrated emulsions were applied to determine the rate of coalescence k, and changes in mean cube globule diameter. Suspensions of sulphdimidine or zinc oxide prepared with tragacanth gum were compared with those prepared with mucuna gum. The final sedimentation height, Hu for each suspension was predicted using a biexponential relationship in the sedimentation pattern. The indication is that mucuna gum can be usefully employed as both an emulsifying and a suspending agent.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

PubMed2003

Allelopathy in the natural and agricultural ecosystems and isolation of potent allelochemicals from Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) and Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa).

We have studied on allelopathy of plants and developed methods to identify the effective substances in root exudates, leaf leacheate, and volatile chemicals emitted from plants. We found traditional cover plants that show allelopathic activity are useful for weed control. It could eliminate the use of synthetic chemicals for this purpose. Allelopathy is a natural power of plants to protect themselves by producing natural organic chemicals. Some endemic plants in Asia, already known by farmers in the region, as either cover crops used in intercropping, hedgerow, or agroforestry, were found to possess strong allelopathic abilities. Our group identified several allelochemicals from these plants. These allelopathic cover crops, mostly leguminous plants, provide protein rich food, and grow easily without artificial fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides. In this regards, these allelopathic cover crops could save food shortage in rural area, and are useful for environmental conservation. Screenings of allelopathic plants by specific bioassays and field tests have been conducted. Hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) and Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) are two promising species for the practical application of allelopathy. An amino acid, L-DOPA, unusual in plants, plays an important role as allelochemical in Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens). Hairy vetch is the most promising cover plant for the weed control in orchard, vegetable and rice production and even for landscape amendment in abandoned field in Japan. We have isolated "cyanamide", a well known nitrogen fertilizer, from Hairy vetch. This is the first finding of naturally produced cyanamide in the world.

Crops, Agricultural↗

PubMed1994

Isolation and characterization of a Forssman antigen-binding lectin from velvet bean (Mucuna derringiana) seeds.

A Forssman antigen (GalNAc alpha 1-3GalNAc beta 1-3Gal alpha 1-4Gal beta 1-4Glc beta 1-1Cer)-binding lectin has been purified from velvet bean (Mucuna derringiana) seeds by a combination of affinity chromatography and reversed phase HPLC. This lectin agglutinates both native and trypsin-treated sheep erythrocytes as well as trypsinized rabbit erythrocytes, but neither native rabbit nor human erythrocytes, irrespective of blood group type. SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography reveal the lectin to be a homodimer consisting of two 54 kDa subunits linked by non-covalent bonds. The results obtained by quantitative precipitation, haemagglutination inhibition and TLC overlay assays indicate that the Mucuna lectin specifically recognizes Forssman antigen and Forssman disaccharide (GalNAc alpha 1-3GalNAc)-related structures.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Effects of Mucuna pruriens extract on activation of prothrombin by Echis carinatus venom.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC has long been used as a medicinal plant by traditional healers. The validity of the claims made for this plant has also been tested scientifically. Some of its properties are probably linked to high concentrations of dopa since it is useful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The antisnake properties of an extract of Mucuna pruriens' seeds (MP101UJ) in vivo were recently demonstrated and one is now investigating its biochemical mechanism. Echis carinatus venom (EV) contains a mixture of proteins that affect the coagulative cascade, causing severe bleeding and haemorrhage. Here the effect of an extract of MP101UJ in prothrombin activation by EV in vitro by clotting and chromogenic assay is studied. An increase in procoagulant activity was found. This could explain the protective effect in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Properties of films prepared from prosopis and mucuna gums.

Various properties of the films prepared from mucuna and prosopis gums have been evaluated. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose was used for comparison. When studied for elongation at break point, the most elastic of the gums was prosopis gum, followed by sodium carboxymethylcellulose, while mucuna gum was the least elastic. On microscopy, prosopis and sodium carboxymethylcellulose formed films of equal consistency without pores.

Biological Factors↗

PubMed2002

The effect of Momordica charantia and Mucuna pruriens in experimental diabetes and their effect on key metabolic enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

The Indian traditional system of medicine prescribed traditional plant therapies. Two such plants, i.e. Momordica charantia (MC) and Mucuna pruriens (MP), earlier shown to reduce hyperglycaemia, were assessed for their anti hyperglycaemic effect on varying degrees of hyperglycaemia and diabetic complications. Alcohol and aqueous extracts of MC (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) and only an alcohol extract of MP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg/day) were evaluated in a pilot study (plasma glucose >180 mg/dL, 21 days), a chronic study in alloxanized rats (plasma glucose >280mg/dL, 120 days) and streptozotocin (STZ) mice (plasma glucose >400 mg/dL, 60 days). In the pilot study, the maximum antihyperglycaemic effect occurred with an aqueous extract of MC at week 3 and an alcohol extract of MP at week 6 at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day. In chronic alloxanized rats, the selected dose of MC led to a significant fall of 64.33%, 66.96%, 69.7% and 70.53% in plasma glucose levels at 1, 2, 3 and 4 months, respectively. MP showed a decrease of 40.71%, 45.63%, 50.33% and 51.01% at the same time period. In chronic STZ diabetic mice, MC led to a mean reduction of 15.37%, 18.68% and 22.86% in plasma glucose levels on days 40, 50 and 60 of sampling while MP had no significant effect. The alteration in hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content and hepatic glucokinase, hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphate and phosphofructokinase levels in diabetic mice were partially restored by MC but not by MP. The mechanism of action of MC and MP is discussed.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

An intraspecific genetic map of velvetbean (Mucuna sp.) based on AFLP markers.

Velvetbean ( Mucuna sp., n=11), a self-pollinated species, is an important legume used in tropical agricultural systems in rotation with other crops for nematode management and/or soil improvement. A genetic map of velvetbean was constructed in order to identify potential molecular markers linked to important morphological and agronomic traits that would be particularly useful for developing and improving the species. Traits such as seed coat color, pod color, and pod pubescence were among the main parameters observed in a process of genetic diversity estimation. Two slightly divergent velvetbean accessions, PI364362 and 'Edgar Farm White', a land race from Alabama, were used to make an intraspecific F(1) hybrid. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis (AFLP) detected an average of six polymorphic fragments per primer pair between the two parents. As expected for dominant markers, the sum of all AFLP bands from both parents was generally observed to be present in the AFLP profiles of the F(1) progeny, indicating full penetrance and the dominant nature of AFLP markers. An F(2) population was generated by self-pollinating a single F(1) plant. Using 37 AFLP primer pairs, we detected 233 polymorphic markers of which 164 (70.4%) segregated in 3:1 Mendelian ratios, while the remaining 69 (29.6%) both segregated and were scorable. The genetic linkage map constructed from this population comprised 166 markers, including two morphological traits (pod color and pod pubescence). Twenty linkage groups were found with an average distance between markers of 34.4 cM, covering a total of 687.9 cM. The linkage groups contained from 2 to 12 loci each and the distance between two consecutive loci ranged from 0 to 21.8 cM. The newly designated morphological traits pod color ( pdc) and pod pubescence ( pdp) co-segregated with each other at a distance of 4.2 cM. Two DNA markers designated ACGCAG2 and ACTCTG1 were located in the same group as pdc and pdp. The AFLP linkage map provides opportunities for use in marker-assisted selection and in the detection of loci controlling morphologically important traits.

Genetic Linkage↗

PubMed2004

Effects of crude extracts of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) and Carica papaya (Caricaceae) against the protozoan fish parasite Ichthyophthirius multifiliis.

The ciliate Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is among the most pathogenic parasites of fish maintained in captivity. In the present study, the effects of the crude methanolic extract of leaves of Mucuna pruriens and the petroleum-ether extract of seeds of Carica papaya against I. multifiliis were investigated under in vivo and in vitro conditions. Goldfish (Carassius auratus auratus) infected with the parasites were immersed for 72 h in baths with M. pruriens extract, and for 96 h in baths with C. papaya extract. There was a 90% reduction in numbers of I. multifiliis on fish after treatment in baths of each plant extract at 200 mg l(-1 )compared to untreated controls. Consequently, parasite-induced fish mortality was reduced significantly. A complete interruption of trophont recruitment was achieved by immersion in the M. pruriens extract. In vitro tests led to a 100% mortality of I. multifiliis in 150 mg/l M. pruriens extract, and in 200 mg/l of C. papaya extract after 6 h. Although the active constituents of the medicinal plant extracts are still unknown, we have demonstrated that they have potential for effective control of I. multifiliis.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Ant-colonized domatia on fruits of Mucuna interrupta (Leguminosae).

Domatia of myrmecophytes have been reported only in vegetative organs so far. In this paper, we report the first record of domatia formed on the legume surface of Mucuna interrupta. The domatium consists of 12-16 vertical lamellae which traverse the fruit surface obliquely to form long, narrow hollows, providing two ant species with a nest site.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Protection of Mucuna pruriens seeds against Echis carinatus venom is exerted through a multiform glycoprotein whose oligosaccharide chains are functional in this role.

In a previous paper we demonstrated that extracts of Mucuna pruriens seeds (MPE) protect mice against Echis carinatus venom (EV) by an immunological mechanism. In this paper we demonstrate that the MPE immunogen generating the antibody that cross-reacts with the venom proteins is a multiform glycoprotein (gpMuc) whose immunogenic properties mainly reside in its glycan-chains. The glycoprotein was purified from the protein extract of M. pruriens seeds using Concanavalin A affinity chromatography. Using 2-D gel electrophoresis it separated into seven isoforms having MWs in the range from 20.3 to 28.7 kDa and pIs from 4.8 to 6.5. N-terminal sequencing of these spots revealed close similarity since all of them contained the consensus sequence DDREPV-DT found in soybean Kunitz-type trypsin inhibitor. We suggest that gpMuc contains both N- and O-glycans. Mild alkaline treatment but not PNGase F led to loss of reactivity, indicating that O-glycans are probably involved in the antigenicity of gpMuc.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Alkaloidal constituents of Mucuna pruriens seeds.

The seeds of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. after chemical analysis afforded four tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids which have been isolated for the first time from M. pruriens. Out of them, two are new whose structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Alkaloids↗