Planta Med 2012; 78 - P_81
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1307589

Chemical Composition Comparison of Mucuna prurience Commercial Samples

N Abe 1, Z Ali 1, YH Wang 1, IA Khan 1, 2
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, MS, 38677, USA

Mucuna pruriens Linn. (Leguminosae) is a climbing plant which is widespread throughout tropical climates. Traditionally, the seeds have been used as a tonic and an aphrodisiac for males [1] in India as Ayurvedic medicine. The activity against Parkinson's disease has recently been reported from the seeds of this plant, which is probably due to the presence of L-DOPA (1) (a major constituent). Few reports show the presence of alkaloids [2], fatty acids [3], and amino acids [4] in the seeds. Herein, we explored the chemical constituents, and report the isolation and the structure elucidation of compounds that have previously not been examined from M. prurience seeds. The difference between the chemical constituents of the commercial sample and that of the authentic plant is also addressed.

Acknowledgements: The work was supported by Science Based Authentication of Dietary Supplements funded by the Food and Drug Administration grant No. 1U01FD004246–01. References: [1] Anonyous (1962) The Wealth of India, PID, CSIR, New Delhi, p.439–444. [2] Mishara HO, Wanger (2004) Phytochem 65: 2565–2567. [3] Mishara HO, Wanger (2006) Indian J Chem 45B: 801–804. [4] Siddhuraju P, Vijayakumari K, Janardhanan L (1996)J Agric Food Chem 44: 2636–2641.