Introduction：
Mucuna is the dried seeds of the genus Mucuna, mainly produced in Guangxi, Guizhou and other regions of China. Levodopa is the main active ingredient. Levodopa is one of the precursors for the synthesis of norepinephrine and dopamine in the body, and can increase the level of dopamine in brain tissue. It is an important biologically active substance in living organisms and an important intermediate product in the biochemical metabolic pathway from l-tyrosine to catecholamine cargo melanin. Levodopa is a precursor substance to dopamine and is the common international trade name for it. Levodopa is the levorotatory of amino acid class which is extracted from the seeds of the legume family. Levodopa tablets generally disintegrate and dissolve in the stomach before being excreted into the duodenum and then reaching the small intestine where they are absorbed into the bloodstream at the upper end of the small intestine. A small percentage of levodopa eventually crosses the "blood-brain barrier" into the brain, where it is taken up by nigrostriatal nerve cells or other nerve cells, where it is stripped of a carboxyl group by the enzyme dopa decarboxylase and turned into dopamine, thereby replenishing dopamine in the brain and reducing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease , snake bites and male infertility.
Function:
Levodopa is helpful in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's syndrome due to its conversion to dopamine by decarboxylation with dopa decarboxylase.
Treats hepatic coma, improves and enhances central function, and is more beneficial in regulating hand movements or muscle paralysis and relaxation.
Promoting sleep and improving sleep fatigue;
Increasing bone density and reversing osteoporosis;
Increasing muscle strength and improving muscle
Enhances male health
Application:
Levodopa is one of the most effective products available for the relief of tremor paralysis and is one of the precursors for the synthesis of norepinephrine and dopamine, which are catecholamines in the body.
Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier into the brain, where it is decarboxylated by dopa decarboxylase into dopamine, thus relieving Parkinson's symptoms.
Interaction:
Vitamin B6 is a dopamine decarboxylase cofactor and can increase peripheral tissue decarboxylase activity. High dose application may reduce the effect of this product. This product should not be used with vitamin B6. However, if combined with decarboxylase inhibitors, vitamin B6 may promote dopamine decarboxylation in the brain and enhance the effect of levodopa.
Not to be used with reserpine and adrenaline-like products
Food interaction: Avoid multivalent ions. Iron salts may reduce levodopa absorption. Take with or without food. A diet high in protein may delay absorption and AUC of levodopa.
Metabolism:
Levodopa is either converted to dopamine by aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase or O-methylated to 3-O-methyldopa by catechol-O-methyltransferase。
3-O-methyldopa cannot be metabolized to dopamine3. Once levodopa is converted to dopamine, it is converted to sulfated or glucuronidated metabolites, epinephrine E, or homovanillic acid through various metabolic processes
The primary metabolites are 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (13-47%) and homovanillic acid
Synthetic Method
The extraction was carried out as follows: the Mucuna was crushed and extracted three times with a mixture of 30% ethanol and 0.1% acetic acid at room temperature for 24 h. The extract was filtered and obtained. The extract was concentrated under reduced pressure (21.3 kPa), crystallized and left to stand overnight at 0-10°C. The extract was filtered and the crude levodopa was extracted. The crude product was dissolved with 1N hydrochloric acid, filtered with activated carbon and the filtrate was neutralised with a small amount of vitamin C to pH 3.5 with 2N ammonia to precipitate a large number of crystals. 0-10°C for 4h and filtered. The filter cake was washed twice with distilled water containing a small amount of vitamin C and dehydrated once by drenching with acetone. 60-70°C was dried to obtain levodopa.
Clinic Study:
Carbidopa is used in combination with levodopa in the treatment of tremor paralysis.
Carbadopa inhibits the decarboxylation of peripheral levodopa into dopamine, which does not cross the blood-brain barrier, thus allowing low doses of levodopa entering the brain to be subjected to decarboxylase, achieving effective concentrations of dopamine and reducing the side effects of peripheral dopamine. Carbidopa has no specific adverse effects, and while it may reduce the incidence of adverse reactions associated with levodopa alone, symptoms such as dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other symptoms may occur, so it must be administered under medical supervision.
Levodopa Response in Parkinson Disease
Despite the known benefit of levodopa in reducing the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, concern has been expressed that its use might hasten neurodegeneration. Many study assessed the effect of levodopa on the rate of progression of Parkinson's disease.levodopa either slows the progression of Parkinson's disease or has a prolonged effect on the symptoms of the disease. Whether levodopa is detrimental, beneficial, or without effect on the rate of the progression of Parkinson's disease is unknown and extremely important, both scientifically and clinically. Therefore there need lots of clinic study to assess the effect of levodopa on the course of Parkinson's disease. cause the potential long-term effects of levodopa on Parkinson's disease remain uncertain.
Effect of levodopa on melanocytes on the biological activity of melanin
The synthesis of tyrosine by melanocytes is catalysed by tyrosinase to produce dopa, which is then oxidised to dopaquinone, which undergoes a multimerisation reaction to form colourless dopamine. In the presence of isomerase, dopamine is formed into true melanin. Suitable for tyrosine deficient individuals to enhance melanin formation. In this ingenious way, melanin can be formed without the involvement of tyrosine and dopa.
Other Study:
Marine Adhesion:
l-DOPA is a key compound in the formation of marine adhesive proteins, such as those found in mussels. It is believed to be responsible for the water-resistance and rapid curing abilities of these proteins. l-DOPA may also be used to prevent surfaces from fouling by bonding antifouling polymers to a susceptible substrate. The versatile chemistry of L-DOPA can be exploited in nanotechnology. For example, DOPA-containing self-assembling peptides were found to form functional nanostructures, adhesives and gels.
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