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Zeitschrift für Phytotherapie 2008; 29(4): 199-206
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1086053
Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.
© Sonntag Verlag in MVS Medizinverlage Stuttgart GmbH & Co. KG

Porträt einer Arzneipflanze

Die Juckbohne ist eine tropische Kletterpflanze, die im Ayurveda-System eine Rolle spielt. Pharmakologisch wichtigster Inhaltsstoff ist L-Dopa, das sich vor allem im Samen findet. So zielen entsprechend viele Studien auf den Einsatz geeigneter Extrakte bei Morbus Parkinson. Klaus Peter Latté
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Publication History

Publication Date:
27 August 2008 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., die Kratz- oder Juckbohne aus der Familie der Fabaceae, wird seit Langem als Arzneipflanze in der Ayurveda zur Behandlung von Störungen des Nervensystems und anderer Erkrankungen eingesetzt. Die ausgeprägten Wirkungen der Samenextrakte gegen die Symptome von Morbus Parkinson lassen sich auf den hohen L-Dopa-Gehalt (syn. Levodopa) zurückführen, aber auch neuroprotektive Wirkungen scheinen eine Rolle zu spielen. Die Nebenwirkungen der Extrakte sind geringer im Vergleich zu synthetischem Levodopa; Ursache hierfür dürften Begleitstoffe sein. M. pruriens könnte in der Zukunft – nach weiteren, genauen Untersuchungen – eine große Bedeutung in der Behandlung des Morbus Parkinson erlangen.

Summary

Portrait of a medicinal plant: Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.

Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., the cowhage or velvet bean from the Fabaceae family, has been known in Ayurveda as a herbal remedy for diseases of the nervous system and other disorders. The pronounced effects of the seed extracts of M. pruriens against the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be explained with the high L-Dopa content (syn. levodopa), but neuroprotective effects seem to play a role as well. Less adverse effects of the seed extracts have been observed compared to synthetic levodopa. This may be due to accompanying ingredients of the plant extracts. M. pruriens might become very important in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in the future, but further and more detailed studies are needed.

Schlüsselwörter

Mucuna pruriens - Fabaceae - Morbus Parkinson - L-Dopa - Levodopa - Neuroprotektion - Juckbohne - Kratzbohne

Key words

Mucuna pruriens - Fabaceae - Parkinson’s disease - L-Dopa - levodopa - neuroprotection - velvet bean - cowhage

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1 Genaue Struktur nicht bekannt;

2 nicht in Samendroge enthalten

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Dr. Klaus Peter Latté

Warägerweg 21

13595 Berlin

Email: klauspeter.latte@lycos.de

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