78 © 2018 Pharmacognosy Reviews | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow Efects of Mucuna pruriens (L.) Supplementation on Experimental Models of Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review Francisca Idalina Neta 1 , Ianara Mendonça Da Costa 1 , Francisca Overlânia Vieira Lima 1 , Luciana Cristina Borges Fernandes 1 , José Rodolfo Lopes De Paiva Cavalcanti 1 , Marco Aurélio De Moura Freire 1 , Eudes Euler De Souza Lucena 1 , Amália Cinthia Meneses Do Rêgo 2 , Irami Araújo Filho 2 , Eduardo Pereira De Azevedo 2 , Fausto Pierdoná Guzen 1,2 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, State University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Mossoró, 2 Department of Biomedic Sciences, School of Health, Potiguar University, Natal, Rio Grande Do Norte, Brazil ABSTRACT Introduction: Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC. (Mp) has been used in the treatment of numerous diseases in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, mainly for delaying the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and has as its main component levodopa (L‑DOPA). The aim of this work is to systematically review the effects of Mp supplementation on experimental models of PD due to its neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. MATERIALS AND Methods: The search was conducted through PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and Scientifc Electronic Library Online databases, where a number of relevant articles were found. Results: Mp demonstrated signifcant positive responses in the experimental models of PD by improving motor defcits and by enhancing the activity of the antioxidant systems, reducing oxidative stress. In addition, it presented some advantages when compared to a conventional antiparkinsonian drug as it minimized the occurrence and severity of dyskinesias. Conclusion: Thus, considering that the use of herbal medicines decreases the likelihood of side effects associated with the pharmaceutical drugs, this work aims to summarize and evaluate the data available regarding the mechanism of action of Mp and the reported benefts of this plant as an alternative to improve the quality of life of individuals with PD. Key words: Antioxidant, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, neuroprotection, Parkinson’s disease INTRODUCTION Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative condition, clinically characterized by diferent motor disorders, such as bradykinesia, stifness, tremor, and postural instability, [1] which are associated with selective loss of dopaminergic cells in the nigrostriatal region. [2] In addition, nonmotor symptoms such as autonomic disorders and psychosis have also been reported in patients with PD. [1] Te classical in vivo models of PD result from the systemic or intracerebral administration of neuronal toxins such as 1‑methyl‑4‑phenyl‑ 1,2,3,6‑tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), 6‑hydroxydopamine (6‑OHDA), and paraquat (PQ). [3] Te MPTP model mimics the primary pathological and biochemical characteristics of PD such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and induction of mitochondrial dysfunction, which makes this model more suitable to evaluate the neuroprotective efects of drugs. [4] Te autoxidation and inhibition of complexes I and IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain are the main mechanisms of toxicity of 6‑OHDA, which increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and causes neuroinfammation, microglial activation, and induction of apoptotic pathways, resulting in cell death. [5] Te mechanisms of action of the PQ model are directly or indirectly related to the increasing production of ROS, which results in damage of the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta. [6] Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Mp) comes from Hindi Kiwach, being called Atmagupta in Sanskrit. [7] It belongs to the Fabaceae family and Papilionaceae subfamily. [8] Mp has a wide variety of pharmacological properties including neuroprotective and antioxidant, which seem to be attributed to the presence of the dopamine (DA) precursor, levodopa (L‑DOPA). [9] Mp has been used for a long time in traditional Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine for treating some diseases such as PD. [10,11] Previous studies have reported that even afer >40 years of clinical use, L‑DOPA still remains the gold standard for treating PD. [12] Tis drug is considered the most efective agent for relieving a variety of symptoms related to PD, including tremor, stifness, sluggishness, weak muscle control, and gait impairment. [13] However, its long‑term use is associated with side efects such as motor fuctuations and dyskinesias. [14] A double‑blind clinical study demonstrated that the prolonged use of L‑DOPA leads to the development of dyskinesia, whereas the use of Mp extract (MPE) during the same period of time did not demonstrate such efect. [15] In addition, nonhuman primates previously treated with MPTP demonstrated that Mp displayed antiparkinsonian activity without inducing dyskinesia and suggested that Mp acts through a mechanism that is diferent from that of L‑DOPA. [16] Pharmacogn. Rev. A multifaceted peer reviewed journal in the feld of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products www.phcogrev.com | www.phcog.net REVIEW ARTICLE Cite this article as: Neta FI, Da Costa IM, Lima FO, Fernandes LC, Cavalcanti JR, Freire MA, et al. Effects of Mucuna pruriens (L.) supplementation on experimental models of Parkinson’s disease: A systematic review. Phcog Rev 2018;12:78-84. This is an open access journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms. For reprints contact: reprints@medknow.com Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website: www.phcogrev.com DOI: 10.4103/phrev.phrev_46_17 Correspondence: Dr. Fausto Pierdoná Guzen, Department of Biomedic Sciences, Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Mossoró, Rio Grande Do Norte 59607‑360, Brazil. E‑mail: fauguzen@usp.br