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PLANTS-MUCUNA SPECIES

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Classification   |    Detailed evidence-based information

Substances Included Synonyms

Therapeutic Toxic Class

    A) The Mucuna species are a group of plants with irritating seed pods which are commonly found in the tropics or sub-tropics. The seeds contain significant amounts of levodopa.

Specific Substances

    A) Mucuna pruriens (Stizolobium pruritum)
    1) Atmagupta
    2) Cowhage
    3) Cowitch
    4) Feijao macaco
    5) HP 200 (ayurvedic herbal formulation)
    6) Nescafe
    7) Pica-Pica
    8) Pois Gratte
    9) Vine Gungo Pea
    10) Kaunch
    11) Kiwach
    12) Buffalo Pea
    13) Fava de Cafe
    14) Feijao-Cafe
    15) Couhage
    16) Phaseolus Utriusque Indiae
    17) Stinging Beans
    18) Elephant's Scratch Wort
    19) Sea bean
    20) Setae Silaquae Hirsutae
    21) Velvet bean
    22) Mucuna species - plants
    Mucuna deeringiana
    1) Florida Velvet Bean
    2) Bengal Bean
    3) Habichuela terciopelo
    Mucuna urens
    1) Bejuco Jairey
    2) Ox-Eye Bean
    3) Yeaux Bourrigue
    4) Tortera
    5) Mato
    6) Ojo de buey
    Mucuna soloanei
    1) Horse-eye Bean
    2) Mato
    3) Ojo de buey
    Mucuna gigantea
    1) Tiger bean
    Mucuna bennetti
    1) New Guinea Creeper
    Mucuna Monosperma
    1) Songarvi
    2) Morhi-Kuhili
    3) Thelu-Kodi

Available Forms Sources

    A) FORMS
    1) An ayurvedic preparation of Mucuna pruriens was found to contain about 200 mg of levodopa per dose (Nagashayana et al, 2000).
    2) The intact bean or seed contains about 3% to 6% levodopa, with the inner layer of the pericarp containing the highest amount, about 5.3% (Anon, 1995).
    B) SOURCES
    1) Aflatoxins have been identified in concentrations of 1.16mcg/gm in samples of stored M. pruriens seeds (Roy et al, 1988). Aflatoxin production in M. pruriens seeds are temperature dependent (Roy & Chourasia, 1989).
    C) USES
    1) ORAL-
    a) In the early 1800's, cowhage was mixed with honey or treacle and used internally as treatment for roundworm infestation (Broadbent, 1953; Shelley & Arthur, 1955).
    b) M. Pruriens is a common famine food in some parts of Africa and India. When the seeds are ingested they are usually boiled several times and the water discarded prior to ingestion. Improperly prepared seeds can cause toxicity (Infante et al, 1990).
    c) In India, the seeds of M. Pruriens have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (Vaidya, 1978).
    d) Mucuna birdwoodiana is used in Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation, to treat pain or numbness of the joints, and irregular menses (Goda et al, 1987).
    e) In ancient India, M. pruriens was used in the treatment of paralysis agitans (Manyam, 1990).
    f) M. monosperma has been used internally as an expectorant and externally as a sedative (Dymock, 1978).
    2) TOPICAL -
    a) At one time (not currently) Mucuna spicules were part of itch powders (Shelley & Arthur, 1955).
    b) Cowhage has been used experimentally to induce pruritis (Shuttleworth et al, 1988).
    c) Excellent descriptions of dermatitis and ocular injuries produced by these plants in agricultural employees is given by Pardo-Castello, 1923; Allen, 1943; Burkhill, 1966.
    d) In Africa, the stinging hairs of M. sloanei have been rubbed on the skin of small children to teach them to control urination (Mitchell & Rook, 1979).
    e) Unguentum urticans is an ointment from M. pruriens. It contained cowhage (spicules) 8 grains to 1 ounce of lard. When rubbed on the skin it produced burning and urticaria (Mitchell & Rook, 1979).
    f) Aqueous extracts of M. Pruriens var. utilis leaves show some in-vitro activity against coagulation induced by the venom of the African snake Echis carinatus (Houghton & Skari, 1994). The fresh leaves of M. pruriens are used topically as an anti-snakebite remedy (Houghton & Skari, 1994).

Overview

Life Support

    A) This overview assumes that basic life support measures have been instituted.

Clinical Effects

    0.2.1) SUMMARY OF EXPOSURE
    A) The seed pods of many Mucuna species are covered with spicules that cause an irritant dermatitis, conjunctivitis, or gastritis. Only the pods are irritating. In most exposures, there will be itching, and occasionally pain, edema, erythema, and vesicles. The onset of itching usually begins about 30 seconds after exposure with a duration of one to two hours in mild to moderate cases.
    B) Neuropsychiatric effects have developed in individuals using the seed of M. pruriens as a famine food. The seed contains significant amounts of levodopa and tryptamine compounds.
    C) The roots of M. pruriens contain a purgative.
    0.2.4) HEENT
    A) Chewing the pods may produce stomatitis with swelling of the lips, tongue and gingiva.
    B) Conjunctivitis and keratitis may be produced in field workers exposed to airborne spicules from the pods.
    0.2.5) CARDIOVASCULAR
    A) Palpitations occurred after the ingestion of the seeds of M. pruriens as a famine food. Some preparations contain a significant amount of levodopa, which can cause orthostatic hypotension, syncope, and cardiac arrhythmias.
    0.2.7) NEUROLOGIC
    A) Headache, fatigue, syncope, tremors, dyskinesias, insomnia, and dystonias developed after chronic ingestion of M. pruriens seeds and extracts.
    B) Toxic psychosis, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions has been reported after the use of the seeds as a famine food.
    0.2.8) GASTROINTESTINAL
    A) Gastritis and mucosal irritation have been reported after ingestion of the pods. If the root of the plant is ingested, diarrhea may occur.
    0.2.13) HEMATOLOGIC
    A) Platelet aggregation inhibition occurred in vitro in response to a phenolic extract of M. birdwoodiana.
    B) Reversal of coagulation induced by viper envenomation occurred in vitro to aqueous extracts of M. pruriens.
    0.2.14) DERMATOLOGIC
    A) Contact with the hairs of many of these species may cause itching and burning. Pods are covered with hollow spicules which contain a proteolytic protein. After imbedding, the protein produces an intense pruritus that may be followed by a transient erythema and small punctate papules.
    0.2.20) REPRODUCTIVE
    A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the potential effects of exposure in humans to this agent during pregnancy or lactation.
    B) Oral administration of Mucuna extracts has produced abortions and pre and post-implantation mortality in animals.
    0.2.21) CARCINOGENICITY
    A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the carcinogenic or mutagenic potential of this agent.

Laboratory Monitoring

    A) No significant laboratory changes would be anticipated from dermal exposure to this plant. Should the pods be ingested, and significant and prolonged vomiting occur, serum electrolytes may need to be monitored.

Treatment Overview

    0.4.2) ORAL/PARENTERAL EXPOSURE
    A) Symptoms following most dermal exposures to Mucuna species are self-limited (minutes to a few hours) and require only removal of the spicules. These are only superficially embedded, and can be taken off with adhesive tape or by washing with soap and water. Antihistamines and corticosteroids have been used, but have not been demonstrated to affect outcome.
    B) Ingestion of the pods may cause significant oral irritation and gastritis. Demulcents may be necessary.
    C) Ingestion of the seeds as famine food may cause psychiatric symptoms.
    D) Ingestion of even one pod may cause local irritation of the mouth, throat, stomach and intestinal wall. If severe irritation or swelling of the mouth and throat are present, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Administer cool fluids.
    0.4.4) EYE EXPOSURE
    A) DECONTAMINATION: Remove contact lenses and irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist after 15 minutes of irrigation, the patient should be seen in a healthcare facility.
    0.4.5) DERMAL EXPOSURE
    A) OVERVIEW
    1) DECONTAMINATION: Remove contaminated clothing and jewelry and place them in plastic bags. Wash exposed areas with soap and water for 10 to 15 minutes with gentle sponging to avoid skin breakdown. A physician may need to examine the area if irritation or pain persists (Burgess et al, 1999).

Range Of Toxicity

    A) Exposure to this agent is primarily a dermal and ocular contact hazard. Only the spicules of the pods are irritating.
    B) The application of one spicule through the dermis can cause burning and itching lasting 30 minutes. Even casual dermal contact with a contaminated individual can cause burning irritation (Anon, 1985).
    C) Powdered preparations of the seed used in herbal medicine can contain as much as 200 mg of levodopa per dose.

Clinical Effects

Hematologic

    3.13.1) SUMMARY
    A) Platelet aggregation inhibition occurred in vitro in response to a phenolic extract of M. birdwoodiana.
    B) Reversal of coagulation induced by viper envenomation occurred in vitro to aqueous extracts of M. pruriens.
    3.13.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) PLATELET AGGREGATION
    1) Platelet aggregation in vitro was inhibited by a phenolic extract of M. birdwoodiana (2,6-dimethoxyphenol). Prostaglandin biosynthesis was inhibited by 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and another extract, N-(trans-feruloyl)tyramine (Goda et al, 1987).
    2) Aqueous extracts of M. pruriens reversed the coagulation induced by venom from the snake Echis carinatus. There was no evidence that extracts from M. pruriens inhibited the coagulation in the absence of venom (Houghton & Skari, 1994).

Dermatologic

    3.14.1) SUMMARY
    A) Contact with the hairs of many of these species may cause itching and burning. Pods are covered with hollow spicules which contain a proteolytic protein. After imbedding, the protein produces an intense pruritus that may be followed by a transient erythema and small punctate papules.
    3.14.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) DERMATITIS
    1) Contact with the hairs of many of these species may cause burning and itching. Pods are armed with hollow spicules that contain mucunain, an irritant proteolytic enzyme. Inflammation and urticaria may develop. Erythematous macular rashes may also develop (Anon, 1985).
    B) ERUPTION
    1) The dried spicules of M. urens have been noted to become airborne and capable of producing irritation from a distance (Mitchell & Rook, 1979).
    2) The spicules may still "sting" long after the plant is dead. Dried hairs mixed with soil may irritate the feet. M. pruriens among barley has caused barley itch in dock workers (Mitchell & Rook, 1979).

Reproductive

    3.20.1) SUMMARY
    A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the potential effects of exposure in humans to this agent during pregnancy or lactation.
    B) Oral administration of Mucuna extracts has produced abortions and pre and post-implantation mortality in animals.

Carcinogenicity

    3.21.2) SUMMARY/HUMAN
    A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the carcinogenic or mutagenic potential of this agent.

Genotoxicity

    A) At the time of this review, no data were available to assess the mutagenic or genotoxic potential of this agent.

Summary Of Exposure

    A) The seed pods of many Mucuna species are covered with spicules that cause an irritant dermatitis, conjunctivitis, or gastritis. Only the pods are irritating. In most exposures, there will be itching, and occasionally pain, edema, erythema, and vesicles. The onset of itching usually begins about 30 seconds after exposure with a duration of one to two hours in mild to moderate cases.
    B) Neuropsychiatric effects have developed in individuals using the seed of M. pruriens as a famine food. The seed contains significant amounts of levodopa and tryptamine compounds.
    C) The roots of M. pruriens contain a purgative.

Heent

    3.4.1) SUMMARY
    A) Chewing the pods may produce stomatitis with swelling of the lips, tongue and gingiva.
    B) Conjunctivitis and keratitis may be produced in field workers exposed to airborne spicules from the pods.
    3.4.2) HEAD
    A) Chewing the pods may produce stomatitis, with edema of the lips, tongue, and gingiva. Sialorrhea and dysphagia may occur (Schvartsman, 1979).
    3.4.3) EYES
    A) CONJUNCTIVITIS as well as keratitis has developed in field workers exposed to the hairs. The conjunctivitis occurs during the dry season when the hairs are shed from the plant and become airborne (Mitchell & Rook, 1979).

Cardiovascular

    3.5.1) SUMMARY
    A) Palpitations occurred after the ingestion of the seeds of M. pruriens as a famine food. Some preparations contain a significant amount of levodopa, which can cause orthostatic hypotension, syncope, and cardiac arrhythmias.
    3.5.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) PALPITATIONS
    1) Palpitations were reported after ingesting M. pruriens as a famine food (Infante et al, 1990).
    B) ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION
    1) Orthostatic hypotension and syncope can occur following ingestion of M. pruriens products containing levodopa.

Neurologic

    3.7.1) SUMMARY
    A) Headache, fatigue, syncope, tremors, dyskinesias, insomnia, and dystonias developed after chronic ingestion of M. pruriens seeds and extracts.
    B) Toxic psychosis, including hallucinations and paranoid delusions has been reported after the use of the seeds as a famine food.
    3.7.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) HEADACHE
    1) Headache was reported after ingestion of M. pruriens as a famine food (Infante et al, 1990).
    2) Fatigue, syncope, tremor, and dystonia are described as side effects of the use of M. pruriens in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine (Manyam, 1990).
    B) PSYCHOTIC DISORDER
    1) Toxic psychosis has been reported in Africans using the seeds of M. pruriens as famine food. Patients were confused, agitated, and had paranoid delusions and hallucinations (Infante et al, 1990).
    2) PSYCHOACTIVE CONSTITUENTS - The seeds of the plant M. pruriens contain the amino acid dihydroxyphenylalanine (1.5%) (Damodaran & Ramaswamy, 1937), as well as DMT, MeO-DMT, bufotenine, and levodopa (Anon, 1962; Ghosal et al, 1971).

Gastrointestinal

    3.8.1) SUMMARY
    A) Gastritis and mucosal irritation have been reported after ingestion of the pods. If the root of the plant is ingested, diarrhea may occur.
    3.8.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) GASTRITIS
    1) Gastritis may occur because the hairs of these plants are irritating to the intestinal tract.
    B) DIARRHEA
    1) Ingestion of the roots and stems of Mucuna pruriens produces abdominal cramping and diarrhea (Schvartsman, 1979).
    C) THIRST FINDING
    1) Thirst is described as a side effect of M. pruriens in Ayurvedic medicine (Manyam, 1990).

Hepatic

    3.9.2) CLINICAL EFFECTS
    A) ABNORMAL LIVER FUNCTION
    1) Due to the levodopa content in some preparations, chronic ingestion may cause elevations in liver function tests, although there are no reports involving botanical sources.

Laboratory Monitoring

Monitoring Parameters Levels

    4.1.1) SUMMARY
    A) No significant laboratory changes would be anticipated from dermal exposure to this plant. Should the pods be ingested, and significant and prolonged vomiting occur, serum electrolytes may need to be monitored.

Treatment

Life Support

    A) Support respiratory and cardiovascular function.

Patient Disposition

    6.3.1) DISPOSITION/ORAL EXPOSURE
    6.3.1.1) ADMISSION CRITERIA/ORAL
    A) ADMISSION CRITERIA -
    1) Patients may require hospital evaluation if ingestion of the pods has produced significant swelling of the mouth and throat potentially compromising the airway. evaluation may also be necessary if vomiting develops and persists resulting in dehydration.
    6.3.4) DISPOSITION/EYE EXPOSURE
    6.3.4.2) HOME CRITERIA/EYE
    A) Symptoms usually resolve after appropriate irrigation. If pain, swelling, lacrimation or photophobia persists after 15 minutes of irrigation, an opthalmologic evaluation should be performed.
    6.3.4.3) CONSULT CRITERIA/EYE
    A) If pain, swelling, lacrimation or photophobia persists after 15 minutes of irrigation, an opthalmologic evaluation should be performed. The single application of a local anesthetic may be considered (Grant, 1993).
    6.3.5) DISPOSITION/DERMAL EXPOSURE
    6.3.5.2) HOME CRITERIA/DERMAL
    A) Dermal exposure to the hairy pods of M. pruriens can cause intense burning and itching. Removal of contaminated clothing and thorough washing with soap and water should be sufficient treatment.
    6.3.5.3) CONSULT CRITERIA/DERMAL
    A) If itching, stinging, and erythema persist after washing, or a papular rash develops, consult with a dermatologist may be indicated.

Monitoring

    A) No significant laboratory changes would be anticipated from dermal exposure to this plant. Should the pods be ingested, and significant and prolonged vomiting occur, serum electrolytes may need to be monitored.

Oral Exposure

    6.5.1) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION/PREHOSPITAL
    A) SUMMARY
    1) Local irritation is the primary effect expected after acute ingestion of the pods. Gastrointestinal irritation may also develop. Activated charcoal are unlikely to be beneficial.
    B) DILUTION
    1) DILUTION: If no respiratory compromise is present, administer milk or water as soon as possible after ingestion. Dilution may only be helpful if performed in the first seconds to minutes after ingestion. The ideal amount is unknown; no more than 8 ounces (240 mL) in adults and 4 ounces (120 mL) in children is recommended to minimize the risk of vomiting (Caravati, 2004).
    C) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) Activated charcoal is not expected to be of value in minimizing gastrointestinal irritation that may occur after ingesting these pods. It may not be of value to minimize symptoms after the ingestion of improperly prepared seeds as a food source. It may be of value to minimize the purgative effects following the ingestion of the root.
    2) PREHOSPITAL ACTIVATED CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider prehospital administration of activated charcoal as an aqueous slurry in patients with a potentially toxic ingestion who are awake and able to protect their airway. Activated charcoal is most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion. Administration in the prehospital setting has the potential to significantly decrease the time from toxin ingestion to activated charcoal administration, although it has not been shown to affect outcome (Alaspaa et al, 2005; Thakore & Murphy, 2002; Spiller & Rogers, 2002).
    1) In patients who are at risk for the abrupt onset of seizures or mental status depression, activated charcoal should not be administered in the prehospital setting, due to the risk of aspiration in the event of spontaneous emesis.
    2) The addition of flavoring agents (cola drinks, chocolate milk, cherry syrup) to activated charcoal improves the palatability for children and may facilitate successful administration (Guenther Skokan et al, 2001; Dagnone et al, 2002).
    3) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.2) PREVENTION OF ABSORPTION
    A) ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
    1) Activated charcoal is not expected to be of value in minimizing gastrointestinal irritation that may occur after ingesting these pods. It may not be of value to minimize symptoms after the ingestion of improperly prepared seeds as a food source. It may be of value to minimize the purgative effects following the ingestion of the root.
    2) CHARCOAL ADMINISTRATION
    a) Consider administration of activated charcoal after a potentially toxic ingestion (Chyka et al, 2005). Administer charcoal as an aqueous slurry; most effective when administered within one hour of ingestion.
    3) CHARCOAL DOSE
    a) Use a minimum of 240 milliliters of water per 30 grams charcoal (FDA, 1985). Optimum dose not established; usual dose is 25 to 100 grams in adults and adolescents; 25 to 50 grams in children aged 1 to 12 years (or 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram body weight) ; and 0.5 to 1 gram/kilogram in infants up to 1 year old (Chyka et al, 2005).
    1) Routine use of a cathartic with activated charcoal is NOT recommended as there is no evidence that cathartics reduce drug absorption and cathartics are known to cause adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances and occasionally hypotension (None Listed, 2004).
    b) ADVERSE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS
    1) Complications: emesis, aspiration (Chyka et al, 2005). Aspiration may be complicated by acute respiratory failure, ARDS, bronchiolitis obliterans or chronic lung disease (Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002; Pollack et al, 1981; Harris & Filandrinos, 1993; Elliot et al, 1989; Rau et al, 1988; Golej et al, 2001; Graff et al, 2002). Refer to the ACTIVATED CHARCOAL/TREATMENT management for further information.
    2) Contraindications: unprotected airway (increases risk/severity of aspiration) , nonfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, uncontrolled vomiting, and ingestion of most hydrocarbons (Chyka et al, 2005).
    6.5.3) TREATMENT
    A) PSYCHOTIC DISORDER
    1) Patients experiencing psychosis due to ingestion of M. pruriens seeds as a famine food recovered within 2 weeks after cessation of ingestion. recovery was more rapid in those treated with intravenous chlorpromazine (Infante et al, 1990).

Eye Exposure

    6.8.1) DECONTAMINATION
    A) EYE IRRIGATION, ROUTINE: Remove contact lenses and irrigate exposed eyes with copious amounts of room temperature 0.9% saline or water for at least 15 minutes. If irritation, pain, swelling, lacrimation, or photophobia persist after 15 minutes of irrigation, an ophthalmologic examination should be performed (Peate, 2007; Naradzay & Barish, 2006).
    B) A single application of a local anesthetic may be considered (Grant, 1993).

Dermal Exposure

    6.9.1) DECONTAMINATION
    A) DERMAL DECONTAMINATION
    1) Decontamination is important. Spicules may be removed from the skin by washing or by applying an adhesive tape.
    2) Pods and contaminated clothing should be handled carefully by personnel treating these individuals. Cross contamination can occur even with casual contact (Anon, 1985).
    6.9.2) TREATMENT
    A) DERMATITIS
    1) Although the symptoms resolve without serious sequelae within a few hours, oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, possibly may make the patient more comfortable (Anon, 1985; (Broadbent, 1953). There is some evidence that histamine does not have a role in the pruritic activity (Denman, 1986). If true, antihistamines would not be useful.
    2) CORTICOSTEROIDS - Oral corticosteroids have been used (Schvartsman, 1979) Anon, 1985), but do not hasten recovery.
    3) EMLA has been demonstrated to reduce the experimentally-induced itching by cowhage. EMLA was applied to the skin 120 minutes before the administration of cowhage (Shuttleworth, 1988). The clinical utility of EMLA for acute dermal exposures to M. pruriens is limited because itching usually resolves within a few hours.
    B) Treatment should include recommendations listed in the ORAL EXPOSURE section when appropriate.

Range Of Toxicity

Summary

    A) Exposure to this agent is primarily a dermal and ocular contact hazard. Only the spicules of the pods are irritating.
    B) The application of one spicule through the dermis can cause burning and itching lasting 30 minutes. Even casual dermal contact with a contaminated individual can cause burning irritation (Anon, 1985).
    C) Powdered preparations of the seed used in herbal medicine can contain as much as 200 mg of levodopa per dose.

Therapeutic Dose

    7.2.1) ADULT
    A) GENERAL
    1) An obsolete preparation used as a vermifuge was produced by dipping the pods into honey or molasses and scraping the spicules off with the liquid. The "dose" of this preparation was 15 mL in an adult and 5 mL in a child. This was given each morning for three days followed by a cathartic (Osol & Farrar, 1955).
    2) LEVODOPA -
    a) An ayurvedic preparation of Mucina pruriens was found to contain about 200 milligrams of levodopa per dose (Nagashayana et al, 2000).
    b) The intact bean or seed contains about 3% to 6% levodopa, with the inner layer of the pericarp containing the highest amount, about 5.3% (Anon, 1995).

Serum Plasma Blood Concentrations

    7.5.2) TOXIC CONCENTRATIONS
    A) TOXIC CONCENTRATION LEVELS
    1) GENERAL
    a) This agent is primarily a dermal or mucous membrane irritant, and therefore toxic serum and blood concentrations have not been established.

Pharmacology Toxicology

Pharmacologic Mechanism

    A) SKIN -
    1) The active pruritogenic agent was ascribed to a proteolytic enzyme called mucunanin (Shelley & Arthur, 1955). Mucunanin is an endopeptidase and dipeptase, with activity in the pH range of 7 to 8. If introduced into the skin it causes pruritus without visible skin lesions. Pruritis occurs through histamine mediated and non-histamine mediated pathways (Denman, 1986). Occasionally erythema, pain, edema and vesicles may develop. The protein is heat labile and destroyed by water. It was demonstrated that the proteolytic activity was not essential to the pruritic action (Monash & Woessner, 1958).
    2) The trichomes (spicules) also contain 5-hydroxytryptamine (0.015%) which is not pruritogenic (Shelley & Arthur, 1955; Bowden et al, 1954).
    B) INGESTION -
    1) The seeds contain levodopa, N,N-dimethyl-tryptamine (DMT), bufotenine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and other alkaloids (Anon, 1962; Ghosal et al, 1971).
    2) The levodopa content of the seeds ranges from 3.1 to 6.1% (Daxenbichler et al, 1972).

Physicochemical

Physical Characteristics

    A) solid
    B) The pruritus-provoking substances in Mucuna species are one or more thermolabile proteins with a molecular weight of approximately 40,000 (Denman & Wuepper, 1982).

Molecular Weight

    A) 40,000 (approximate) (Denman & Wuepper, 1982)

References

General Bibliography

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    3) Anon: HP-200 in Parkinson's disease study group. An alternative medicine treatment for Parkinson's disease: results of a multicenter clinical trial. J Alt Comp Med 1995; 1:249-255.
    4) Bailey LH & Bailey EZ: Hortus Third, MacMillan Publishing Co, Inc, New York, NY, 1976.
    5) Bowden K, Brown BG, & Batty JE: 5-hydroxytryptamine: its occurence in cowhage. Nature 1954; 174:925-926.
    6) Broadbent JL: Observations on itching produced by cowhage, and on the part played by histamine as a mediator of the itch sensation. Br J Pharmacol 1953; 8:263-270.
    7) Burgess JL, Kirk M, Borron SW, et al: Emergency department hazardous materials protocol for contaminated patients. Ann Emerg Med 1999; 34(2):205-212.
    8) Burkhill IH: Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula, 2, Ministry of Agriculture, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1966, pp 1524-1528.
    9) Caravati EM: Alkali. In: Dart RC, ed. Medical Toxicology, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2004.
    10) Chyka PA, Seger D, Krenzelok EP, et al: Position paper: Single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2005; 43(2):61-87.
    11) Dagnone D, Matsui D, & Rieder MJ: Assessment of the palatability of vehicles for activated charcoal in pediatric volunteers. Pediatr Emerg Care 2002; 18:19-21.
    12) Damodaran M & Ramaswamy R: Isolation of L-3: 4-dihydroxy-phenylalanine from the seeds of Mucuna pruriens. Biochem J 1937; 31:2149-2152.
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