Mucuna Pruriens Combined with Carbidopa in Parkinson's Disease: A Case Report

J Parkinsons Dis. 2019;9(2):437-439. doi: 10.3233/JPD-181500.

Abstract

We present a 48-year-old woman with Parkinson's disease in whom carbidopa was added to Mucuna pruriens, resulting in marked motor improvement (documented on video and using MDS-UPDRS motor scores). This case report shows that adding a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI) to Mucuna pruriens could fit well in a personalized approach for patients who are reluctant to start levodopa. Meanwhile, larger trials with a longer follow-up are needed to establish the true effects and tolerability of Mucuna pruriens plus a DDCI.

Keywords: Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor; Mucuna pruriens; Parkinson’s disease; personalized medicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucuna*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Patient Preference
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Preparations / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylase Inhibitors
  • Plant Preparations
  • Carbidopa