Abstract |
The natural occurrence of antiparkinsonian drugs in plants-- anticholinergics in Datura stramonium, levodopa in Mucuna pruriens and Vicia faba, dopamine agonist activity in Claviceps purpura, and MAO inhibitor activity in Banisteria caapi-are known. Our study examined the efficacy and tolerability of HP-200, derived from Mucuna prurient, in patients with Parkinson's disease. Sixty patients with Parkinson's disease (46 male and 14 female) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 59 +/- 9 years were treated in an open study for 12 weeks. Of these, 26 patients were taking synthetic levodopa/ carbidopa formulations before treatment with HP-200, and the remaining 34 were levodopa naive. HP-200, a powder (supplied as a 7.5 g sachet), was mixed with water and given orally. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was used at baseline and periodically during the 12-week evaluation. Statistically significant reductions in Hoehn and Yahr stage and UPDRS scores were seen from baseline to the end of the 12-week treatment (p < 0.0001, t-test). The group mean (+/- SD) dose for optimal control of symptoms was 6 +/- 3 sachets. Adverse effects were mild and were mainly gastrointestinal in nature. No adverse effects were seen in clinical laboratory reports. HP-200, developed from an alternative medicine source, Ayurveda, was found to be an effective treatment for patients with Parkinson's disease.
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Authors | |
Journal | Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.)
(J Altern Complement Med)
Vol. 1
Issue 3
Pg. 249-55
( 1995)
ISSN: 1075-5535 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9395621
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Antiparkinson Agents
- Plant Extracts
- Levodopa
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Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Antiparkinson Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Diseases
(chemically induced)
- Humans
- Levodopa
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Medicine, Ayurvedic
- Middle Aged
- Parkinson Disease
(classification, drug therapy)
- Plant Extracts
(therapeutic use)
- Severity of Illness Index
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