Abstract

A COMPARATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF KAPIKACCHU SEEDS W.S.R. TO ITS USE IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Tarun Sharma*, A. Ramamurthy, Sumit Nathani, Malvika Saini, Dushyant Kishore

Abstract

Ageing is a process of physical, psychological and social change in multi-dimensional aspects. Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive disease of late adult life and is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders. It happens when nerve cell in the brain don’t produce enough of a brain chemical called dopamine. It is a disease of elderly and its prevalence increases from 1% in people over the age of 65 years to 5% in people over the age of 80 years and affects men and women equally. On the basis of signs and symptoms, Parkinson’s disease can be correlated with Kampavata a disease described under the heading of Vata Nanatmaja Vyadhi in Ayurveda. L-Dopa is precursor of the neurotransmitters dopamine. Many previous studies show that Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens (L.)DC.) is a rich source of L-Dopa. In market two types of seeds (black and white) are available and are being used simultaneously in the name of Kapikacchu. Phytochemical evaluation of black seeds of Kapikacchu has been done but phytochemical study of white seeds of Kapikacchu and their comparative phytochemical evaluation has not done yet. The aim of present article is to put forward the phytochemical profile of both types of Kapikacchu seeds and their comparative analysis also. Thus a conclusion can be reached as to which seeds (black or white) are more effective in treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease, dopamine, Kampavata, Kapikacchu.