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Genus Mucuna encompasses several plant species renowned for their utilization in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, chiefly due to their exceptionally high L-dopa content relative to other plants. However, limited information exists regarding Mucuna laticifera, a newly identified species within the Mucuna genus. This study unveils a remarkable L-dopa content of 174.3 mg/g in M. laticifera seeds, surpassing all previously documented Mucuna species. Moreover, this research marks the first documentation of L-dopa, flavonoids, and phenolics within M. laticifera seeds. Furthermore, the aqueous extract derived from these seeds exhibits robust antioxidant properties. Investigation into its anti-inflammatory potential reveals a significant reduction in paw swelling and neutrophil infiltration at inflammatory sites in a carrageenan-induced rat model. Gene expression analysis utilizing a rat paw model demonstrates that the seed extract significantly downregulates the expression of various inflammation-related genes compared to carrageenan-treated rats. Collectively, these findings clearly substantiate the anti-inflammatory activity of M. laticifera seed extract. The exceptional L-dopa content combined with its anti-inflammatory properties position M. laticifera seeds as a promising therapeutic option for neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, as well as various inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nervous system. Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in PD. Ongoing research is focused on discovering new plant sources and developing alternative methods of production to meet the increasing demand for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Ethnopharmacognosy plays a vital role in bridging traditional knowledge with modern science, and screening natural compounds from edible plants is a valuable approach to discovering new therapeutic agents. Hence, the exploration of plants and their bioactive compounds for drug development is an ongoing and promising field. This paper embodies results on the neuroprotective property of Mucuna monosperma (MM). Two major bioactive compounds, namely l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and Ursolic acid, were identified and isolated by Prep-HPLC and Column chromatography. Further, the isolated compounds by HPLC. The antioxidant properties of crude, L-Dopa and Ursolic acid were scrutinized and verified through DPPH and Nitric oxide scavenging assay. To evaluate the neuroprotective property and anti-aging effect of bioactive compounds, negative geotaxis, courtship behavior, and longevity studies were conducted in the transgenic PD line of Drosophila melanogaster against oxidative stress status. The result reveals that the climbing ability, courtship behaviors and longevity were significantly increased in PD lines (Elva/SNCAA30P) fed with bioactive compounds under stress conditions. Further it was noticed that synergetic effects of Ursolic acid along with L-Dopa showed excellent result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A taxonomic account of the papilionoid legume genus Mucuna Adans. in Africa, Madagascar, and the Indian Ocean islands is presented. Fifteen large herbaria that host representative collections of African specimens were visited and online databases consulted. A new phylogenetic analysis is also presented. Nineteen taxa are described and mapped. Twelve species and six infraspecific taxa (including autonyms, thus 15 terminal taxa) of Mucuna are present on the African mainland, where three species are representatives of Mucuna subg. Mucuna and the other nine are members of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium (P. Browne) Baker. In the Madagascar and Indian Ocean islands biodiversity hotspot, Mucuna is represented by six species, two of which (M. gigantea (Willd.) DC. and M. pruriens (L.) DC.) also occur on the African mainland. The other four species are endemic to Madagascar or adjacent islands and are representatives of Mucuna subg. Mucuna. The only representative of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium in Madagascar is M. pruriens. Our study suggests that the African mainland is the center of origin of Mucuna subg. Stizolobium. It is also revealed as the world's most species-rich region in representatives of this subgenus, whereas on the other continents, subgenus Mucuna is the most diverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator shifts are often related to speciation in angiosperms, and the relationship between them has been discussed in several plant taxa. Although limited information on plants pollinated by non‐flying mammals in Central and South America and Africa is available, related research has not been conducted in Asia. Herein, I summarize the available knowledge of pollination in Asian Mucuna (Fabaceae), a genus mainly distributed in the tropics, and discuss the evolution of plants pollinated by non‐flying mammals in Asia. Nineteen pollinator species have been recorded and pollination systems have been categorized into four types. An examination of the relationship between Mucuna species and their pollinators from the lineage perspective revealed that all species in Mucuna, subgenus Macrocarpa, which are distributed in Asia, are pollinated exclusively by non‐flying mammals. Additionally, plants pollinated by non‐flying mammals were found to have diverged from bat‐pollinated and non‐flying mammal‐pollinated plants, while plants pollinated by non‐flying mammals have evolved multiple times. This is a unique example of evolutionary transition. I hypothesize that the diversification of squirrel species in tropical Asia may have led to the speciation and diversification of Mucuna in Asia. Furthermore, the behavioural and ecological characteristics of bats and birds in Asia differ from the characteristics of those in other regions, implying that Asian Mucuna species do not rely on bat or bird pollinators. The adaptation of floral characteristics to pollinators is not well understood in Asia. Mammal‐pollinated plants in Asia may have evolved differently from those in other regions and have unique pollination systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: To sustainably manage N in oil palm systems quantities of N fixed by cover legumes need to be understood. Current values are scarce, based on shoot N measures and do not include litter which releases nitrate as it decomposes. We aimed to quantify N2 fixed by legumes under oil palm systems in PNG and to determine if soil nitrate influenced dependence on N2 fixation (Ndfa). Methods: The ureide technique for estimating tropical legume Ndfa was calibrated for Calapogonium mucunoides and Pueraria phaseoloides using 15N isotope dilution, and then used to assess Ndfa for legume cover under oil palms (2 to 25 years old) in Papua New Guinea. Amounts of fixed N in above-ground legume biomass (shoot plus litter) were calculated incorporating % groundcover. Soil nitrate under the legume litter was also measured. Results: Legume Ndfa was highly negatively correlated with soil nitrate concentration but independent of palm age. Legume groundcover, shoot and litter dry matter, and quantity of fixed N were greater under oil palms less than 5 years old, decreasing under older plantations where solely C. caeruleum was present. DM and N content of litter were similar to shoots for legumes in plantations less than 6 years old. Conclusion: The calibrated ureide technique can be used, together with estimates of annual legume N accumulation, to quantify N input from legume groundcover during the life cycle of oil palm plantations and other tropical ecosystems, in order to support more sustainable management of N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human societies demand sustainable alternatives for goods and services. Plants are sustainable sources of important metabolites with beneficial impacts on human health. There are many reported methodologies and commercial suppliers for extract preparations from Mucuna sp. They usually claim the plant is enriched with L-dopa, its distinctive metabolite. However, many present poor characterizations of the extract's components. Here, we present polar metabolites characterization of a Mucuna seed extract, emphasizing L-dopa identification and quantification. To obtain the extracts, we follow a green and sustainable extraction protocol. The lyophilized extract is subjected to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify its primary metabolites. Additionally, we follow thin-layer chromatography to identify carbohydrates in the sample. The resultant extract has 56% L-dopa. Other main components in the extract are arginine, stizolamine, and the fructooligosaccharides sucrose and nystose. The characterized Mucuna extract can be easily standardized using powder preparation and used in several biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land degradation is a major obstacle to agricultural development in Africa, where it's accentuated by poor agricultural practices and climate change effects. Restoration of degraded lands is crucial to prevent incursions into virgin and marginal lands. A field experiment was carried out over a four-year period on two degraded sites, to assess and compare the effect of the common practices of: (i) burning crop residues and weeds by resource-poor farmers (T1) and (ii) burning crop residues and weeds followed with application of manure and/or NPK as external inputs (T2) by resource-endowed farmers with (iii) an innovative agroecological package (T3) on soil physical, chemical and biological attributes, and crop yields. T3 consisted of crop rotation and/ intercropping with Mucuna pruriens cover crop, grasses (Pennisetum purpureum and Setaria sphacelate) and shrubs (Calliandra calothyrsus, and Leucaena diversifolia), and the application of manure and NPK. A randomized complete block design with 8 and 10 blocks, with each package appearing once in each block, was used respectively, at Mulungu and Mushinga. The agroecological package significantly improved soil and plant parameters compared to the common practices at both sites. The average plot-level aboveground biomass was significantly lower (p < 0.001) in T1 (11.3–17.4 t/ha) and T2 (10.1–21.9) than in T3 (39.9–60.4 t/ha). Similar trends were observed for bean and maize grain and banana bunch yields. When T1 is compared to T3, mean yields increased 2.6 times (848 kg/ha against 327 kg/ha), 2.8 times (2,201 kg/ha against 792 kg/ha) and 1.5 times (7.4 t/ha against 5.0 t/ha) for bean grains, maize grain, and banana bunches, respectively. Improvements were also observed for soil physical, biological, and chemical properties. A decrease in soil temperature; and increases in soil porosity, earthworm density/m2 (1,932 against 0), nodules/bean plant (28 against 21) and root length density (65 against 15.5 cm) were observed in T3. T3 (compared to T1), had a decrease in acidity and Al3+; an increase in soil organic matter, K+, Ca+, and aboveground carbon stock (26.5 t/ha against 5.6 t/ha). The innovative agroecological package is thus an approach that can be used to effectively restore degraded and abandoned farmlands.

Aphrodisiac herbal products originated from various plants including Mucuna species. In Thai folklore, Mucuna macrocarpa Wall. and M. pruriens (L.) DC. have long been consumed and utilized for their aphrodisiac properties. Consumption of these plants can lead to serious adverse effects caused by l-dopa. The plants have been legally banned for use as foods, dietary supplements, or nutraceuticals by the FDA of several countries. To protect consumers, methods for the identification of illicit plants or herbal products are needed. This study aimed to identify the selected twelve Mucuna species and examine the aphrodisiac herbal products containing M. macrocarpa and M. pruriens by using HPLC analysis of l-dopa coupled with DNA barcoding profiles of ITS, matK, rbcL, and trnH-psbA. The results showed that l-dopa could be found not only in the seeds of M. macrocarpa and M. pruriens but also in associated allied Mucuna species. Then, a DNA barcode was introduced to support in HPLC profiling to identify the plants. DNA barcodes of twelve Mucuna species found in Thailand were established and used to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree. In this study, ITS2 sequences showed the highest interspecific variability and could be used to differentiate all Mucuna species. The results of ITS2 sequence coupled with HPLC analysis revealed that all the purchased aphrodisiac products originated from M. pruriens only. Therefore, the integration of HPLC analysis and DNA barcoding profile was an efficient method for the identification of prohibited Mucuna species for safety monitoring of herbal supplements and protecting customer safety. Regulatory agencies should raise awareness and restrain the use of these commercial products.

The plant genus Mucuna comes from the family Fabaceae, subfamily Papilionaceae. At present, about 100 species of climbing shrubs of the genus Mucuna have been found, among which Mucuna pruriens and Mucuna urens stand out, due to the large number of pharmacological properties they possess. We sought to exemplify some of the most important uses, as well as pharmacological and nutritional properties that have been found over the years in Mucuna urens and Mucuna pruriens. Plants of the genus Mucuna have been used in various areas worldwide because they possess a large number of phytoconstituents that give them multiple properties. These plants have stood out for their nutritional value, their antioxidant activity, and their properties to treat various pathologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestive and carcass indicators are studied in Rhode Island Red chickens in two rearing systems. A total of 120 animals were used, which intake a diet with 15 % of processed Mucuna pruriens, distributed according to a completely random design. Two treatments were established: rearing in captivity and free, with grazing on native vegetation. A total of 30 birds per treatment were sacrificed. The carcass, gastrointestinal tract, gizzard, and empty small and large intestines were weighed. The weight of the small and large intestine increased 0.72 g/kg of live weight in the animals that had free access to grazing. The rest of the indicators did not differ between treatments. It is concluded that the free rearing of Rhode Island Red chickens, which intake processed Mucuna pruriens, modifies the organ related to fiber digestion. This is due to the intake of native vegetation, and does not influence on carcass yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted over two (2016 and 2017) Cropping Seasons to investigate grass-legume ensiling compatibilities, at National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) Shika. Field grown forages were harvested at 90 days post planting and ensiled for 21 days at a ratio of 70:30 in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement laid in a Complete Randomized Design to give six treatments; T1: sole Elephant grass (SE), T2: sole maize (SM), T3: maize/lablab (ML), T4: maize/mucuna (MM), T5: Elephant grass/lablab (EL) and T6: Elephant grass/mucuna (EM), replicated three times. Results showed that the pH value of the compounded silages were moderate to fair, ranging from 3.87 for EL mixed silage to 5.99 dark green putrid silage produced by ML mixed silage. The result showed that effect of legumes in mixed grass-legumes silage significantly (P <0.05) affected chemical compositions of the compounded silages. The CP content ranged from 9.0% in SM silage to 15.36% in ML prepared silage. The study shows that silage compounded from maize/lablab produced dark green silage with high crude protein (15.36 %), ash (19.59%), calcium (0.31 %), magnesium (0.33 %) and sodium (2.13 %). Fiber fraction was significantly different (P<0.05) among the compounded silages. Highest ADF (44.50%), NDF (58.90%) and CNLS (39.30%) were recorded in SE silage. However, SM recorded higher HC (17.89%). ADL content was similar across all the treatments. It can also be concluded from this trial that for higher crude protein and minerals composition, silages should be compounded using Maize/Lablab harvested at 90 days post planting. Elephant grass and Mucuna legume produced good silage but cannot replace Maize and Lablab silage in terms of quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel approach of non-dopaminergic remedy for symptomatic antiparkinsonian effects. • First report on elicitor and precursor for enhancement of L-DOPA in in vitro culture. • Quantification of L-DOPA and phytochemicals using HPLC and spectroscopic analysis. • System for easy production of purified L-DOPA to improve synaptic availability. The bioprocess methodology for the enhanced production of phytochemicals using plant cultures predominantly depends on the elicitors and precursors. The drug L-DOPA (anti-Parkinson's drug) (L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) has been chiefly isolated from the popular medicinal plant species Mucuna. The present study has been carried out to enhance the production of L-DOPA and other secondary metabolites in the presence of the optimized concentration of growth promoters, elicitors and precursor's in vitro callus culture of Mucuna imbricata. Results revealed that there is a positive influence of Methyl Jasmonate (MJC) and Salicylic Acid (SAC) on the accumulation of L-DOPA and other secondary metabolites (Nutritional and anti-nutritional factors), which enhances their production by more than two folds. The highest accumulation of L-DOPA was noticed in the elicitation of 1 mM MJC (4.3 ± 0.4 %) followed by 1 mM SAC (3.4 ± 0.08 %) on 45th and 30th days respectively. Results also illustrated a significant increase of callus biomass (dry and moist weight) as well as total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidants values in the elicited callus from day 30th to day 45th of explant inoculation which indicates a synergistic interaction of auxin, cytokinins with elicitors and precursors respectively. Additionally, results revealed that improved accumulation of carbohydrates was positively correlated with an increase in L-DOPA content in the elicited callus. Hence the protocol formulated delivers an effective alternative for mass production of L-DOPA from callus culture with improved metabolite content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Photobiomodulation, also referred to as Low-Level Light Therapy (LLLT), has emerged as a promising intervention for pruritus, a prevalent and often distressing symptom., Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in alleviating pruritus, hyperknesis, and alloknesis induced by histamine and Mucuna pruriens., Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial with a split-body design, healthy volunteers underwent 6 minutes of LLLT and sham treatments in separate upper back quadrants. The histamine model was applied to the upper quadrants, and Mucuna pruriens to the lower quadrants. Pruritus intensity, alloknesis, hyperknesis, flare area, and skin temperature were measured pre and post treatment., Results: Seventeen individuals (eight females, nine males) participated in the study. In the histamine model, LLLT notably reduced itch intensity (difference = 13.9 (95% CI: 10.5 - 17.4), p = 0.001), alloknesis (difference = 0.80 (95% CI: 0.58-1.02), p = 0.001), and hyperknesis (difference = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.09-0.86), p = 0.01). Skin temperature changes were not significantly different between the two groups (difference = -2.0 (95% CI: -6.7-2.6), p = 0.37). For the Mucuna pruriens model, no significant differences were observed in any measures, including itch intensity (difference = 0.8 (95% CI: -2.3 - 3.8), p = 0.61) hyperknesis (difference = 0.08 (95% CI: -0.06-0.33), p = 0.16) and alloknesis (difference = 0. 0.09 (95% CI: -0.08-0.256), p = 0.27)., Conclusions: LLLT effectively reduced histamine-induced pruritus, alloknesis, and hyperknesis; however, LLLT was ineffective against Mucuna pruriens-induced pruritus. Further investigations are required to determine LLLT's effectiveness of LLLT in various pruritus models., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Lang-Illievich et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive and disabling neurodegenerative disease that rapidly worsens and results in premature mortality if left untreated. Although levodopa is the gold standard treatment for PD globally, its accessibility and affordability are severely limited in low- and middle-income countries worldwide. In this scenario, Mucuna pruriens (MP), a leguminous plant growing wild in tropical regions, emerges as a potential alternative or adjunct to levodopa-based medications due to its cost-effectiveness and global natural availability. Recent studies have demonstrated that MP can significantly ameliorate motor symptoms, although tolerability may vary. The proposition that MP could play a pivotal role in providing affordable and symptomatic relief for PD in low- and middle-income countries is grounded in its promising therapeutic profile, yet caution is warranted until more comprehensive data on the long-term safety and efficacy of MP become available. This manuscript summarizes the knowledge gained about MP by the authors, focusing on how to cultivate, store, and provide it to patients in the safest and most effective way in clinical trials. We aim to increase clinical trials investigating its safety and efficacy in PD, before promoting individual use of MP on a global scale, particularly in countries where availability and affordability of levodopa-based medications is still limited., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Roberto Cilia is an Associate Editor for Parkinsonism and Related Disorders If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of the seed beetle Caryopemon giganteus, which represents the first report in the tribe Caryopemini from the subfamily Bruchinae of Chrysomelidae. The circular mitochondrial genome of the species contains 15,727 bases, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a non-coding region. The GC content of the genome is 25.3%, which is higher than any other reported mitochondrial genomes within Bruchinae. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene and the 12S ribosomal RNA gene are 1284 and 835 bp in length, respectively. 12 PCGs started with the typical ATN codon, except for ND1 initiated with TTG. Five PCGs have the typical stop codon of TAA or TGA, while the remainder PCGs are terminated with incomplete stop codons (TA or T). The phylogenetic analysis based on a combination of 13 genes of the mitochondrial genomes of six species of Bruchinae and 23 species from other 10 subfamilies of Chrysomelidae recovered a generally well resolved and strongly supported tree topology, which shows that C. giganteus has the basalmost position in Bruchinae.

The leaf-beetle genus Platypria Guérin-Méneville, 1840 comprises two subgenera and 34 species (Chrysomelidae: Cassidinae: Hispini). Host plants are documented for eight species and indicate mostly perennial species of Fabaceae and Rhamnaceae. Larvae and pupae have been documented for two Platypria species. This paper presents novel natural history data, based on a field study of populations of Platypria (Platypria) hystrix (Fabricius, 1798) on Erythrina stricta Roxb. and Pueraria phaseoloides (Roxb.) Benth. in Kerala, south India and on Erythrina variegata L., Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Maes. & S. Almeida and Mucuna pruriens (L) DC in Assam, northeast India. Three new Fabaceae hosts are reported for P. (P.) hystrix. Brief notes and new host records, based on field observations, are also provided for the other three species of Platypria in India - P. (P.) chiroptera Gestro, 1899, P. (P.) echidna Guérin-Méneville, 1840 and P. (P.) erinaceus (Fabricius, 1801). Platypria females slit the leaf to lay a single egg which is covered with secretions that harden as an ootheca, the egg covering in Cassidinae s. l. There are five larval stages, each with the typical 'hispine' mining form and behaviour - a flattened cream-coloured body, chitinised head capsule and claws, and feeding on mesophyll and leaving irregular blotch mines on the host leaves. Pupation occurs in an independent pupal mine and lasts about a week. These observations suggest new potential phylogenetic character hypotheses that can stimulate better data collection on leaf-mining Cassidinae and help resolve evolutionary patterns amongst these basal mining genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical properties and water absorption kinetics of three varieties of Mucuna beans (Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna rajada and Mucuna veracruz) were determined in this study. Physical properties including length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, porosity, bulk density, area, volume and one thousand seed mass were calculated while hydration kinetics was studied by soaking Mucuna beans in water at 30 °C, 40 °C and 50 °C and measuring water uptake at 9 h interval. Peleg's equation was used to model the hydration characteristics and Arrhenius equation was used to describe the effect of temperature on Peleg's rate constant k1 and to obtain the activation energies for soaking. Significant variations were observed in almost all the physical properties of the different varieties, however, there were no significant differences (p < 0.05) in their thicknesses and bulk densities. The effectiveness of fit of Peleg's model (R2) increased with increase in soaking temperature. Peleg's rate constant k1 decreased with increase in soaking temperature while k2 increased with temperature increase. Activation energies of Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna rajada and Mucuna veracruz were 1613.24 kJ/mol, 747.95 kJ/mol and 2743.64 kJ/mol, respectively. This study provides useful information about the properties of three varieties of Mucuna beans that could be of importance to processors and engineers for process design and optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mucuna Adans., commonly known as the velvet bean, has a great potential not only being a genus of medicinal importance in the Indian system of medicine as a source of L-dopa but also as food, livestock feed, cover crop and being tolerant to abiotic stresses. Exploration and germplasm collections were undertaken in different phyto-geographical zones and tribal dominated areas of Odisha in Eastern India to study the species diversity, extent of genetic variability and associated indigenous traditional wisdom. Forty-one germplasm accessions representing five taxa viz. Mucuna monosperma (2), Mucuna nigricans (2), Mucuna gigantea (1), Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens (34) and Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (2) were collected from the state which exhibits a wide range of inter- and intra-specific variability in pod and seed morphology and L-dopa content in seeds, and further conserved in the National Gene Bank, New Delhi. An identification key, significant botanical characters and the systematic treatment for each taxon was provided for easy identification. The promising genotypes having high L-dopa content and the significant agro-morphological traits pertaining to pod and seed were identified for large scale cultivation and they serve as potential source for crop improvement and breeding programmes. The information on indigenous traditional knowledge collected from major tribal communities of Odisha revealed the immense importance of Mucuna for food and healthcare needs, thus some significant ethno-medicinal uses including their mode of administration were presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rice production in low‐input systems of West Africa relies largely on nitrogen supply from the soil. Especially in the dry savanna agro‐ecological zone, soil organic N is mineralized during the transition period between the dry and the wet seasons. In addition, in the inland valley landscape, soil N that is mineralized on slopes may be translocated as nitrate into the lowlands. There, both in‐situ mineralized as well as the laterally translocated nitrate‐N will be exposed to anaerobic conditions and is thus prone to losses. Aim: We determined the dynamics of soil NO3‐N along a valley toposequence during the dry‐to‐wet season transition period and the effects of soil N‐conserving production strategies on the grain yield of rainfed lowland rice grown during the subsequent wet season. Methods: Field experiments in Dano (Burkina Faso) assessed during two consecutive years the temporal dynamics and spatial fluxes of soil nitrate along a toposequence. We applied sequential and depth‐stratified soil nitrate analysis and nitrate absorption in ion exchange resin capsules in lowlands that were open to subsurface interflow and in those where the interflow from the was intercepted. During one year only we also assessed the effect of pre‐rice vegetation on conserving this NO3‐N as well as on N addition by biological N2 fixation in legumes using δ15N isotope dilution. Finally, we determined the impact of soil N fluxes and their differential management during the transition season on growth, yield and N use of rainfed lowland rice. Results: Following the first rainfall event of the season, soil NO3‐N initially accumulated and subsequently decreased gradually in the soil of the valley slope. Much of this nitrate N was translocated by lateral sub‐surface flow into the valley bottom wetland. There, pre‐rice vegetation was able to absorb much of the in‐situ mineralized and the laterally‐translocated soil NO3‐N, reducing its accumulation in the soil from 40–43 kg N ha−1 under a bare fallow to 1–23 kg N ha−1 in soils covered by vegetation. Nitrogen accumulation in the biomass of the transition season crops ranged from 44 to 79 kg N ha−1 with a 36–39% contribution from biological N2 fixation in the case of legumes. Rice agronomic performance improved following the incorporation as green manure of this "nitrate catching" vegetation, with yields increasing up to 3.5 t ha−1 with N2‐fixing transition seasons crops. Conclusion: Thus, integrating transition season legumes during the pre‐rice cropping niche in the prevailing low‐input systems in inland valleys of the dry savanna zone of West Africa can temporarily conserve substantial amounts of soil NO3‐N. It can also add biologically‐fixed N, thus contributing to increase rice yields in the short‐term and, in the long‐term, possibly maintaining or improving soil fertility in the lowland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a highly prevalent inflammatory skin disorder characterized by episodic exacerbations and remissions. Why the clinically healthy skin of AD patients becomes rapidly inflamed and very pruritic is poorly understood., Objective: To investigate cowhage- and histamine-induced itch and skin expression levels of their target receptors in lesional and non-lesional skin of AD, compared to the skin of patients with psoriasis, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and healthy subjects., Methods: Patients with AD, psoriasis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) as well as healthy control subjects (HC) (n = 20 each) were assessed for differences in itch parameters, neurogenic flare reaction and local blood flow responses to skin provocations with cowhage and histamine. Skin biopsies from 10 AD, 10 psoriasis,11 CSU and 12 HC were obtained to assess expression of protease-activated receptors 2 and 4 (PAR-2, PAR-4), histamine H1 and H4 receptors (H1R, H4R), and mast cells., Results: Provocation of non-lesional skin of AD patients with cowhage resulted in prolonged itch (p = 0.020), which was not observed in psoriasis and CSU. Significantly prolonged and more intense cowhage- and histamine-induced itch (for duration, peak and overall intensity) was also observed in lesional AD skin. Diminished neurogenic flare reaction and blood flow after histamine provocation were shown in AD and psoriasis patients. Non-lesional AD skin along with lesional AD and psoriasis skin showed an increased expression of PAR-2 and PAR-4, H1R and H4R. Mast cell number was higher in lesional AD and psoriasis skin (p = 0.006 and p = 0.006, respectively)., Conclusion: The non-lesional skin of AD patients markedly differs from healthy skin in cowhage-induced itch responses and the expression of receptors for proteases and histamine. Proactive therapeutic interventions that downregulate these receptors may prevent episodic exacerbation in AD., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.)

Intercropping in small-holder production systems in East and Central Africa is very common and offers potential for significant yield and environmental benefits. However, the reduced light availability under banana canopies constrains the success of the intercrop in banana systems. Determining a balance between the optimal spacing/densities of banana plants with optimized intercrop selection based on their sensitivity and tolerance to shade is imperative. This study, through extensive field experiments performed in South Kivu, DR Congo investigated the resilience of a wide range of food and forage crops to varying banana shade levels. The same crop species grown as monocrops served as controls. Quantitative yield assessments showed yam, sweet potato, ginger and forage grasses to have a good potential to grow under moderately dense to dense banana fields. Taro, soybean, mucuna, chili, eggplant, and Crotalaria sp. performed well in sparsely spaced banana fields with moderate shading. Cassava and soybean showed limited tolerance to shade. Intercropping in banana systems is also generally confined to the rainy seasons due to the high sensitivity of most annual intercrops to long dry weather in the dry season months. We also thus assessed the sensitivity of chickpea and mucuna to the long dry weather of the dry seasons and found them to have great potential for extending farming production into the dry season. Overall, we show that careful selection and allocation of crops with varying sensitivity to various banana shade levels and dry season weather can potentially increase whole field productivity.

The investigation into promising botanical materials for natural cosmetics is expanding due to environmental and health awareness. Here, we aimed to evaluate the phytochemical substances and the potential skin-related pharmacological activities of four Mucuna seeds, namely M. gigantea (Willd.) DC. (MGG), M. interrupta Gagnep. (MIT), M. monosperma Wight (MMM), and M. pruriens (L.) DC. (MPR), belonging to the Fabaceae family. In methodology, the Mucuna seeds were authenticated using morphological and molecular approaches. L-DOPA, phenolics, and flavonoid content, incorporated with HPLC and GC–MS fingerprinting analyses, were determined. Then, skin-related antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiaging activities were determined. The results revealed that MPR showed the highest L-DOPA content (75.94 mg/100 mg extract), whereas MGG exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid content (56.73 ± 0.62 mg gallic/g extract and 1030.11 ± 3.97 mg quercetin/g extract, respectively). Only MMM and MPR could inhibit all of S. aureus, S. epidermidis, and C. albicans, but no sample could inhibit C. acnes. Furthermore, all samples demonstrated antioxidant activity. Interestingly, all Mucuna samples exhibited strong collagenase, elastase, and hyaluronidase inhibitory activities. We conclude that the ethanolic extracts of four Mucuna seeds are probably advantageous in the development of skincare cosmeceutical products.

Dentro de la industria pecuaria, el diseño de dietas adecuadas para la productividad y salud de los animales es esencial. Para lo anterior, comúnmente se emplean raciones que combinan alimentos de volumen (aporte de fibra) y alimentos concentrados como los cereales (aporte energético), leguminosas (aporte proteico) y concentrados minerales. Mucuna spp., es una leguminosa tropical cuyas características nutricionales, para el área pecuaria, han sido subaprovechadas. La semilla de mucuna posee características nutricias de importancia para el sector pecuario tales como: 1) concentración (base seca) de proteína cruda y energía de 20 al 30 % y de 15.7 a 24.7 MJ kg-1, respectivamente, 2) presencia de ácidos grasos insaturados, y 3) concentración de anti-nutrientes similares a otras leguminosas dentro de los cuales la concentración de la L-3,4 dihidroxifenilalanina (L-DOPA,) puede ser fácilmente reducida hasta no provocar efectos adversos en el crecimiento y desarrollo animal. Adicionalmente, la semilla de mucuna es un alimento económicamente ventajoso, ya que se considera como residuo de otras prácticas agrícolas. El propósito de este trabajo es presentar una revisión de la información disponible respecto a la concentración de componentes nutricionales presentes en la semilla de Mucuna spp. de interés para sistemas de producción y crianza animal.

Objective Examine the effects of supplementing bahiagrass hay (BG) with potentially anthelmintic quantities of hays of perennial peanut (PEA) or sericea lespedeza (LES) or seeds of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.; MUC) or papaya (PAP) on the intake and nutritive value (Experiment 1), and the performance and parasite burden (Experiment 2) of goats. Methods In Experiment 1, 38 male goats (27.4±5.7 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to each of 5 treatments: i) BG alone and BG plus; ii) PEA; iii) LES; iv) MUC; and v) PAP. Goats were fed for ad libitum consumption and adapted to the diets for 14 d followed by 7 d of measurement. The PEA, LES, MUC (50%, 50%, and 10% of the diet dry matter [DM], respectively), and PAP (forced-fed at 10 g/d) were fed at rates that would elicit anthelmintic effects. In Experiment 2, goats remained in the same treatments but were allocated to 15 pens (3 pens per treatment) from d 22 to 63. All goats were infected with parasites by grazing an infected bahiagrass pasture from 0800 to 1500 h daily and then returned to the pens. Results Dry matter intake tended to be greater in goats fed PEA and LES than those fed BG (757 and 745 vs 612 g/d, respectively). Digestibility of DM (59.5% vs 54.9%) and organic matter (60.8% vs 56.0%) were greater in goats fed MUC vs BG, respectively. In Experiment 2, feeding PAP, LES, and PEA to goats reduced nematode fecal egg counts by 72%, 52%, and 32%, reduced abomasal adult worm counts by 78%, 52%, and 42%, and decreased plasma haptoglobin concentrations by 42%, 40%, and 45% relative to feeding BG alone, respectively. Conclusion Supplementation with PEA, LES, and PAP decreased the parasite burden of goats but did not increase their performance. PAP was the most effective anthelmintic supplement.

The cover crops Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and Pueraria phaseoloides were introduced to African farmers to improve crop production on degraded soils, yet they appear not to be adopted at scale. In the humid forest zone of West and Central Africa, the dominant Acrisols and Nitisols are inherently poor even when not degraded through agriculture. In this zone, sole maize cropping and vegetable production systems are gaining importance, yet both suffer from nutrient deficiencies. Cover crops were often introduced along with a system change, requiring biomass retention, mainly for nutrient retention reasons. Farmers in the zone commonly use slash and burn systems due to added weed control and ease of operations on clean fields. This study evaluated mucuna and pueraria with and without burning the fallow biomass in an annual sole maize crop relay system against the burned and retained natural fallow. Over 14 consecutive years, biomass burning did not cause lower maize grain yields in any of the fallow types, on the contrary, the economically important marketable cob yields were higher when biomass was burned (mulched 2.10 cobs m−2 vs. 2.26 cobs m−2 when burned, p < 0.07). After cover crop fallow, maize grain yields were significantly higher than after natural fallow (1.92 Mg ha−1) over the 14 years, with maize yields in the pueraria treatment (2.63 Mg ha−1) out yielding those in the mucuna treatment (2.28 Mg ha−1). Maize produced 1.92 cobs m−2 in natural fallow, significantly less than in the mucuna (2.23 m−2, p < 0.013) and the pueraria (2.39 m−2, p < 0.001) fallow. Introducing mucuna or pueraria cover crops into slash and burn systems appears as a suitable measure to increase yields without changing the land preparation approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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On low-input smallholder farms of Kenyan upland landscapes, erosion of nutrient-rich topsoil strongly affects crop yields. Where maize (Zea mays) is intercropped on erosion-prone slopes, intercropping can potentially reduce soil erosion. The objective of this research was to quantify the contribution of crops and crop mixtures of different growth habits to erosion control and their influence on above-ground biomass and earthworm abundance as indicators of soil function in smallholder farming systems under a bimodal rainfall pattern in Western Kenya. The experiment involved five treatments, namely maize (Z. mays)/common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) intercrop (maize intercrop), maize/common bean intercrop plus Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) hedgerows and Calliandra mulch (Calliandra), sole Lablab (Lablab purpureus), sole Mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea) intercropped with maize (during the short rains). The experiment was conducted over three consecutive cropping seasons and the cropping system had significant effects on soil loss, runoff, water infiltration, earthworm abundance and above-ground biomass and crop grain yield. The Calliandra treatment had the lowest runoff (11.6–17.2 mm ha−1) and soil erosion (31–446 kg ha−1 per season) in all the seasons, followed by the Mucuna treatment. Lablab was affected by disease and showed the highest soil erosion in the last two seasons. Infiltration was highest in Calliandra treatment, and earthworm abundance was higher under Mucuna and Calliandra treatments (229 and 165 earthworms per square metre, respectively) than under other crops. Our results suggest that including sole crops of herbaceous species such as Mucuna, or tree hedgerows with mixtures of maize and grain legumes has the potential to reduce runoff and soil erosion in smallholder farming. Additionally, these species provide a suitable habitat for earthworms which stabilise soil structure and macropores and thus potentially increase infiltration, further reducing soil erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of mucuna seed extract (MSE) in tris-extenders on sperm functional integrities and seminal oxidative stress indices of vitrified sperm of West African Dwarf (WAD) goat bucks were investigated. Varying levels (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 g/100 mL of diluent) of MSE in tris-extenders were diluted with semen specimens. Diluted semen specimens were vitrified and preserved in liquid nitrogen. The results showed that sperm functional integrities (acrosome and membrane integrities) in MSE extenders were comparable. However, seminal oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde [MDA] and acrosin activity) differed (P

Mucuna pruriens (MP) which is commonly known as "Velvet Bean" is an underutilized legume traditionally used to treat Parkinson's disease and male fertility issues. Extracts of MP have also been identified for their antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antineoplastic effects. Commonly, the antioxidant and anticancer properties of a drug are linked together as antioxidants scavenge free radicals and prevent the cellular DNA damage which could result in cancer development. In this investigation, comparative assessment of the anticancer and antioxidant potentials of methanolic seed extracts from two common varieties of MP, Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens (MPP) and Mucuna pruriens var. utilis (MPU) against human colorectal cancer adenocarcinoma cells COLO-205, was carried out. The highest antioxidant potential was recorded with MPP with an IC 50 of 45.71 μg/ml. The in vitro antiproliferative effects of MPP and MPU on COLO-205 showed an IC 50 of 131.1 μg/ml and 246.9 μg/ml respectively. Our results revealed intervention of the MPP and MPU extracts in growth kinetics of the COLO-205 cells in concomitance with apoptosis induction up to 8.73- and 5.58-folds respectively. The AO/EtBr dual staining and the flow cytometry results also confirmed the better apoptotic efficacy of MPP over MPU. MPP at a concentration of 160 μg/ml exhibited highest apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, effect of the seed extracts on p53 expression was investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and a maximum upregulation of 1.12-fold was recorded with MPP., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

This study investigated ameliorative effects of dietary oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) spent substrate (OMSS) in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with combined marula seed cake (MSC) and mucuna seed meal (MSM) replacing soya bean meal (SBM). In a completely randomised design (CRD), 400 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated to 5 iso-nitrogenous-energetic diets (control with 100% SBM, control with 60% MSC and 40% MSM replacing SBM (MSC + MSM), MSC + MSM with 1.25% OMSS, MSC + MSM with 2.5% OMSS, and MSC + MSM with 5% OMSS) each with 8 replicate pens of 10 during starter, grower and finisher phases. Dietary MSC + MSM decreased (P < 0.001) feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE); slaughter weight, hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), breast weight, and back lengths (P < 0.001); serum SDMA and alanine transaminase (P < 0.05). In contrast, it increased the weights of the thigh (P < 0.001), wing (P < 0.01), liver (P < 0.001), proventriculus (P < 0.001), gizzard (P < 0.001), duodenum (P < 0.001), jejunum (P < 0.001), ileum (P < 0.001), and caecum (P < 0.01) and serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01). Further, it increased meat redness and decreased its hue angle at 45 min post-slaughter (P < 0.01) whilst it decreased its pH (P < 0.01) and increased its shear force (P < 0.05) at 24 h post-slaughter. Compared to higher levels, low (1.25%) dietary OMSS improved, though limitedly, FI, BWG, and FCE at grower and finisher phases only (P < 0.001) whilst it reversed MSC plus MSM-induced deleterious effects on slaughter weight, HCW, and CCW (P < 0.001) and increases in gizzard weight (P < 0.001) and meat shear force at 24 h post-slaughter (P < 0.05). Otherwise, OMSS generally decreased (P < 0.05) serum SDMA and alanine transaminase whilst it abrogated and augmented increases in serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05) and cholesterol (P < 0.01), respectively, and reversed the increase and decrease in meat redness (P < 0.01) and hue angle (P < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, dietary replacement of SBM with combined MSC plus MSM induced deleterious effects in broiler chickens that were limitedly abrogated by low (1.25%) inclusion level of OMSS., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Mucuna , a treasured leguminous genus is renowned for its high L-DOPA (L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) content which acts as an effective anti-Parkinson's drug. Unfortunately, the immense medicinal properties of most Mucuna (M.) species are still remained unnoticed. Thus, in present study we have explored and compared various properties of neglected M. bracteata and M. imbricata from India with frequently consumed Mucuna pruriens var. utilis and commercialized Mucuca powder. The aqueous extracts of all these Mucuna samples were assessed for its nutritional, anti-nutritional, secondary metabolites and pharmacologically active principle (L-dopa) elements employing specific techniques. HPLC analysis in present investigation reveals that M. bracteata contains highest L-DOPA (7.61 ± 0.11%) than other studied spp. which verifies its efficacy to be used against Parkinson's disease. The total antioxidant capacity of the methanol extract of M. bracteata was higher which can be interconnected with its higher total phenolic content (8.76 ± 0.20%). It also has maximum nutritional values such as total ash, dietary fiber and starch. Moreover, M. imbricata another overlooked Mucuna spp. also showed maximum gross energy, total moisture and total carbohydrates with effective anti-inflammatory property (59.25 ± 0.03%). Thus, present results proves the potential of M. imbricata and M. bracteata as a natural active alternative source of L-DOPA with promising medicinal properties supportive in developing anti-Parkinson's drug in future. • Comparative study of market procured Mucuna with neglected and underutilized Mucuna species. • Treasure out the best solvent system for Antioxidant potential and substitute for Mucuna spp. • Both exhibited optimum level of proximate composition and essential secondary metabolites. • Both unnoticed Mucuna spp. showed reasonable level of L-dopa an anti-Parkinson's drug. • Thus can serve as alternative for designing pharmaceuticals in PD remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Ethno-pharmacological relevance Phytotherapeutic approaches have been widely proposed to improve male health. Despite the well-touted effects of tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L) on men's health, an optimal phytotherapy remains an elusive challenge. Aim of the review We sought to critically analyze the evidence in the phytotherapic literature beyond the effects of tribulus on testosterone (T) concentration and sperm analysis to also include indications for prostate health. Materials and methods A focused literature search was conducted to include studies published in Cochrane, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases between the years 2002 and 2018. Results The use of tribulus and maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp, Brassicaceae) were not scientifically supported to improve serum T levels in men. Moderate evidence supports the use of long Jack (Eurycoma longifolia Jack, Simaroubaceae), mucuna (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Fabaceae), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Solanaceae), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L., Fabaceae), and black seeds (Nigella sativa L., Ranunculaceae) to increase total T and improve seminal parameters. Data suggests an increase in total T with the use of 5000 mg/d of powdered mucuna seed and ashwagandha root (151 and 143 ng/dL, respectively) over a 12-week period in patients with oligozoospermia. The use of mucuna was supported for patients with oligozoospermia to improve sperm parameters, with an increase of 83.3 million/mL observed after use of 5000 mg/d of powdered mucuna seed over a 12-week period. Evidence supporting the use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens , (W.Bartram) Small, Arecaceae) to improve prostate health remains equivocal; whereas, evidence supporting the use of Pygeum africanum Hook.f., Rosaceae, Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae, beta-sitosterols, pollen extract, onion, garlic, and tomato, appears favorable and promising. Conclusion Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters. Despite inconclusive evidence for use of tribulus as a T booster, it may provide advantageous effects on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility. Nutraceutical strategies and some phytotherapics may also be effective to promote prostate health. Popular foodstuffs (onion, garlic, and tomato), nutraceutical agents (pollen extract and beta-sitosterols), and herbal medicines (Pygeum africanum and Urtica dioica) are rational approaches. Graphical abstract fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inferring pollinators from floral traits is problematic because many flowers do not conform to a prescribed phenotype by which they may be assigned to any one particular pollination 'syndrome.' This necessitates empirical investigation to confirm pollinator relationships. Mucuna birdwoodiana is thought to be fruit bat-pollinated on account of its malodorous, pale green, gullet-type flowers, but we sought to clarify its pollination system through direct examination. This study was conducted in Hong Kong. Flowers of this species undergo "explosive opening" during pollination. Bagging experiments were conducted to check the necessity of this mechanism to achieve fruit set. Floral visitors were recorded by video camera traps and nectar secretion patterns were surveyed. Flowers do not open automatically and unopened flowers do not fructify. Masked palm civets, Paguma larvata, and introduced Pallas's squirrels, Callosciurus erythraeus styani, were observed opening flowers, and fruits were found to form on flowers opened by both species. Paguma larvata opened flowers more frequently and less destructively than C. e. styani. The nectar is sucrose-dominant with no variation in nectar volume nor sugar concentration throughout the day. Pollination success in M. birdwoodiana is dependent on flower-opening animals. The primary pollinator of M. birdwoodiana is P. larvata, not fruit bats as had been suggested by a suite of supposedly adaptive floral traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete mitochondrial genome of the seed beetle Caryopemon giganteus, which represents the first report in the tribe Caryopemini from the subfamily Bruchinae of Chrysomelidae. The circular mitochondrial genome of the species contains 15,727 bases, 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a non-coding region. The GC content of the genome is 25.3%, which is higher than any other reported mitochondrial genomes within Bruchinae. The 16S ribosomal RNA gene and the 12S ribosomal RNA gene are 1284 and 835 bp in length, respectively. 12 PCGs started with the typical ATN codon, except for ND1 initiated with TTG. Five PCGs have the typical stop codon of TAA or TGA, while the remainder PCGs are terminated with incomplete stop codons (TA or T). The phylogenetic analysis based on a combination of 13 genes of the mitochondrial genomes of six species of Bruchinae and 23 species from other 10 subfamilies of Chrysomelidae recovered a generally well resolved and strongly supported tree topology, which shows that C. giganteus has the basalmost position in Bruchinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Fabaceae) or T-MP seed extract has been shown to improve sexual performance and sperm quality., Objective: This study investigates the preventive effects of T-MP against seminal vesicle damage, apoptotic and Nrf2 protein expression in mice under chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)., Materials and Methods: Forty-eight male ICR mice were divided into four groups: control, CUMS, T-MP300 + CUMS and T-MP600 + CUMS. Mice in control and CUMS groups received distilled water, while those in treated groups were pretreated with T-MP extract (300 or 600 mg/kg BW) for 14 consecutive days. The CMUS and co-treated groups were exposed to one random stressor (of 12 total) each day for 43 days. Components and histopathology of the seminal vesicle were examined, along with localization of androgen receptor (AR) and caspase 3. Expression of seminal AR, tyrosine phosphorylated (TyrPho), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), caspases (3 and 9) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) proteins was investigated., Results: T-MP extract at a dose of 600 mg/kg BW improved seminal epithelial damage and secretion of fluid containing essential substances and proteins in CUMS mice. It also increased the expression of AR and TyrPho proteins. Additionally, T-MP increased expression of Nrf2 and inhibited seminal vesicular apoptosis through the suppression of Hsp70 and caspase expression., Conclusion: T-MP seeds have an antiapoptotic property in chronic stress seminal vesicle. It is possible to apply this extract for the enhancement of seminal plasma quality.

Mucuna pruriens (MP) is leguminous plant which contains 5% of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (levodopa) in its seeds. It may have a potential to be used as an alternative therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Meanwhile, there is a concern in terms of public health that MP products can be overused by patients with PD. As an entry for patients with PD to acquire MP products in Japan, they are often purchased via internet auctions or free markets. MP products are not reagrded as 'pharmatheutical' by Japanese law as long as the specific legal requirements on advertisements are met, so that the MP products can be advertised or sold without any permission from the authorities. In this study, we aimed to conduct internet survey as to the complianse status of these legal requirements. Several major internet auction or free market websites in Japan were surveyed in May-June 2023 by the authors, and 1157 MP product pages were examined. We found approximately 30-40% of the MP products were suspected to have potential legal risks in terms of their advertisements in their website descriptions, such as claiming pharmatheutical efficacy or describing pharmatheutical-like dosages. In addition, approximately 30-40% of the MP products also did not refer to cautions not to take MP products excessively because of the levodopa ingredients. Current study suggested the need of careful description of the MP products in the auction or free market websites for the MP products exhibitors or sellers, in order to fullfill legal requirements as well as to prevent MP abuse.

Globally, 15-24% couples are unable to conceive naturally and 50% of cases of this problem are due to infertility in males. Of this, about 50% of male infertility problems are developed due to unknown reasons called as idiopathic infertility. It is well established that, reactive oxygen species (ROS) have negative impact on male fertility and are involved in 80% of total idiopathic male infertility cases. Medicinal plants are considered as an alternative approach for mitigating the health problems. The plants with good antioxidant capacity can improve the male infertility symptoms generated by ROS. Such medicinal plants can be used to alleviate the symptoms of male infertility with their diverse phytoconstituents. Mucuna pruriens is a well-accepted herb, with its seeds being used to improve the male fertility in various ways and one of the ways is by eliminating the ROS. In our field survey, another plant, Flemingia praecox, although less known, its roots are used in all problems related to the male fertility by tribal people of the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra, India. The study was conducted to determine in vitro antioxidant potential of F. praecox and compared the results with the well-established male fertility improving plant M. pruriens with special emphasis on medicinally important roots of F. praecox and seeds of M. pruriens. The objective of the study was investigated by studying their total phenol (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content, antioxidant parameters (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, DMPD, β-carotene bleaching and TAA) and finally DNA damage protection capacity of the plant extracts was studied. The plant parts used for the medicinal purposes have been investigated along with other major parts (leaves, stem and roots of both the plants) and compared with synthetic antioxidants, BHA, BHT and ascorbic acid. Moreover, the inhibition of two male infertility enzyme markers, PDE5 and arginase by F. praecox root and M. pruriens seed extract was also studied in vitro. The results showed that F. praecox possesses higher antioxidant activity than M. pruriens in the majority of studies as observed in TFC, DPPH, TAA, ABTS and DMPD assays. However, M. pruriens seeds showed best results in TPC, FRAP and DNA damage protection assay. F. praecox root extract also gave better PDE5 inhibition value than M. pruriens seeds. This study will help to establish the authenticity of F. praecox used by tribal people and will encourage its further use in managing the male infertility problems., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

One of the main challenges hindering the commercialization of bioactive peptides is the lack of scalable and consistent production methods. To overcome this obstacle, an automated enzyme membrane reactor was used to continuously produce bioactive peptides from velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens). The optimum operating conditions were [E]/[S] = 5%, pH = 7.5, and τ = 12 h. The long-term continuous operation of the EMR system demonstrated its ability to maintain steady-state conditions. To minimize membrane fouling, an industrially viable strategy was employed, which combines operation at threshold flux and performing regular membrane cleaning. Further fractionation of the hydrolysates with a 2-kDa PES membrane resulted in the highest bioactivity. The IC 50 values for antioxidant and ACE inhibition were 17.85 and 4.58 µg protein/mL, respectively. To map the overall bioactivities of the hydrolysates, LC-MS analysis coupled with BIOPEP-UWM database was performed and obtained DPP-4 and ACE inhibitors as the predominant bioactive activities., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Variation in pH (acidification) and salinity conditions have severe impact at different levels of biological organization in fish. Present study focused to assess the effects of acidification and salinity changes on physiological stress responses at three different levels of function: i) hormonal and oxidative response, ii) osmoregulation and iii) reproduction, in order to identify relevant biomarkers. Second objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of plant ( Mucuna pruriens ) extract for alleviating pH and salinity related stress. Guppies ( Poecilia reticulata) were exposed to different pH (6.0, 5.5, 5.0) and salinity (1.5, 3.0, 4.5 ppt) for 7, 14 and 21 days. Following exposure to stress for respective duration, fish were fed diet containing methanol extract of Mucuna seeds (dose 0.80 gm/kg feed) for 7, 14 and 21 days to measure their possible recovery response. Stress hormone (cortisol), hepatic oxidative stress parameters [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GRd), glutathione peroxidise (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH)], gill osmoregulatory response (Na + -K + ATPase activity), sex steroid profiles and mating behaviours (gonopodial thrust and gestation period) were estimated. Cortisol and MDA levels increased with dose and duration of acid and salinity stress, and cortisol levels were higher in males than in females. Effect on Na + -K + ATPase activity was more intense by salinity stress rather than pH induced stress. Both acid and salinity stress reduced sex steroid levels, and mating response was highly affected by both stresses in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. Mucuna treatment reduced stress-induced alteration of cortisol, MDA, Na + -K + ATPase activity and reproductive parameters. Dietary administration of Mucuna seed extract decreased the intensity of environmental stressors at all three functional levels. Mucuna treatment was more effective against salinity stress than acid stress. Thus, cortisol, oxidative stress marker MDA and Na + -K + ATPase could be effective indicators for acid and salinity stress in wild and domestic fish populations. Dietary administration of Mucuna extract may limit the detrimental effects of acidification and salinity variations that are the inevitable outcomes expected under global climate change conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Floral traits are adapted by plants to attract pollinators. Some of those plants that have different pollinators in different regions adapt to each pollinator in each region to maximize their pollination success. Mucuna macrocarpa (Fabaceae) limits the pollinators using its floral structure and is pollinated by different mammals in different regions. Here, we examine the relationships between floral traits of M. macrocarpa and the external morphology of mammalian pollinators in different regions of its distribution. Field surveys were conducted on Kyushu and Okinawajima Island in Japan, and in Taiwan, where the main pollinators are the Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata, Ryukyu flying fox Pteropus dasymallus, and red‐bellied squirrel Callosciurus erythraeus, respectively. We measured the floral shapes, nectar secretion patterns, sugar components, and external morphology of the pollinators. Results showed that floral shape was slightly different among regions and that flower sizes were not correlated with the external morphology of the pollinators. Volume and sugar rate of nectar were not significantly different among the three regions and did not change throughout the day in any of the regions. However, nectar concentration was higher in Kyushu than in the other two regions. These results suggest that the floral traits of M. macrocarpa are not adapted to each pollinator in each region. Although this plant limits the number of pollinators using its flower structure, it has not adapted to specific mammals and may attract several species of mammals. Such generalist‐like pollination system might have evolved in the Old World. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral nectar plays important roles in the interaction between animal-pollinated plants and pollinators. Its components include water, sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and proteins. Growing empirical evidence shows that most of the proteins secreted in nectar (nectarines) are enzymes that can tailor nectar chemistry for their animal mutualists or reduce the growth of microorganisms in nectar. However, to date, the function of many nectarines remains unknown, and very few plant species have had their nectar proteome thoroughly investigated. Mucuna sempervirens (Fabaceae) is a perennial woody vine native to China. Nectarines from this species were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and analyzed using mass spectrometry. A L-gulonolactone oxidase like protein (MsGulLO) was detected, and the full length cDNA was cloned: it codes for a protein of 573 amino acids with a predicted signal peptide. MsGulLO has high similarity to L-gulonolactone oxidase 5 (AtGulLO5) in Arabidopsis thaliana , which was suggested to be involved in the pathway of ascorbate biosynthesis; however, both MsGulLO and AtGulLO5 are divergent from animal L-gulonolactone oxidases. MsGulLO was expressed mainly in flowers, and especially in nectary before blooming. However, cloning and gene expression analysis showed that L-galactonolactone dehydrogenase (MsGLDH), a vital enzyme in plant ascorbate biosynthesis, was expressed in all of flowers, roots, stems, and especially leaves. MsGulLO was purified to near homogeneity from raw MS nectar by gel filtration chromatography. The enzyme was determined to be a neutral monomeric protein with an apparent molecular mass of 70 kDa. MsGulLO is not a flavin-containing protein, and has neither L-galactonolactone dehydrogenase activity, nor the L-gulonolactone activity that is usual in animal GulLOs. However, it has weak oxidase activity with the following substrates: L-gulono-1,4-lactone, L -galactono-1,4-lactone, D-gluconic acid-δ-lactone, glucose, and fructose. MsGulLO is suggested to function in hydrogen peroxide generation in nectar but not in plant ascorbate biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adequate design of diets to animal health and productivity is essential in livestock industry. For the above, commonly are use bulky ingredients (fibrous sources) combined with a concentrates ingredients as cereals (energy sources), legumes (protein sources) and mineral concentrates. Mucuna spp. is a tropical legume in which its nutrients characteristics have been underutilized by livestock industry. Mucuna seed have an important nutritional characteristics as feedstuff: 1) Crude protein and energy concentration (dry matter basis) of 20 to 30 % and 15.7 to 24.7 MJ kg-1, respectively; 2) Presence of unsaturated fatty acids; 3) Similar concentration of anti-nutrient factors than other legumes, within which L-3,4 dihidroxiphenilalanine (L-DOPA,) can be easy reduced until no adverse effects on animal growth are noted. In addition, mucuna seed is a feedstuff economically advantageous, since is commonly considered as agriculture waste. The aim of this paper is to present a review of available information about the presence and concentration of nutritional compounds in the seed of Mucuna spp. with high potential for livestock industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A completely randomized design with five repetitions was used to evaluate the nutraceutical value of the forage meal of Stizolobium niveum and Stizolobium aterrimum for their use in animal feeding. The experiment was performed in September, on a brown soil with carbonate, without irrigation or fertilization. There were differences (P <0.05) between the plant materials evaluated for the nutritional and nutraceutical indicators studied. The highest values of crude protein, true protein and neutral detergent fiber were obtained for S. niveum meal (277.97, 255. 42, 625.51 g/kg DM). The content of linoleic, linolenic, stearic and palmitic acids in this meal suggests higher quality. The concentration of total carotenoids, total polyphenols, total tannins and total saponins was higher for S. aterrimum (136.08 ug/g, 25.20, 15.93 g/kg DM, 10.09 mg/100g), while the condensed tannins associated with fiber were lower (5.68 g/kg DM). The forage meal of S. niveum and S. aterrimum has high nutritional and nutraceutical value so it could favor the control of animal health, as well as improve their productivity and welfare. It is proposed to continue in vivo researchers that include meals in different formulations of diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four experiments were conducted at the University of Limpopo Experimental farm, Limpopo province, South Africa to determine the effect of legume inclusion on the performance of Pedi bucks on a basal diet of forage sorghum hay. Vigna ungiculata (cowpea), Lablab purpureus (lablab) and Mucuna pruriens (mucuna) hays were used in this trial at different inclusion levels. Fifteen yearling Pedi bucks with average weights of 15 ± 4 kg (Experiment 1), 18 ± 2 kg (Experiment 2) and 17 ± 3 kg (Experiment 3) were used in the first three experiments in a completely randomised design. Nine goats with an average weight of 20 ± 4 kg were used in Experiment 4. Mucuna hay had the highest (P < 0.05) hydrolysable tannin contents. Lablab hay had higher (P < 0.05) total polyphenolics than mucuna, cowpea and sorghum hays. Dry matter intake and digestibility increased with increasing levels of the respective forage inclusion levels. Cowpea and mucuna hay improved (P < 0.05) final live weights and feed conversion ratio, while goats on lablab hay lost weight. Diet intake, digestibility and final live weights of the goats were optimized at different forage inclusion levels. This may indicate that legume inclusion levels for optimal productivity will depend on the particular parameter of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In low-input rice-maize rotation systems in the hills of central Madagascar, farmers deal with erratic rainfall, poor soils, high soil erosion risks and infestation by the parasitic weed Striga asiatica (L.) Kuntze. Practices combining zero-tillage with permanent soil cover by intercropped legumes and crop residue mulches — known as Conservation Agriculture (CA)— are proposed as remedy against soil and climatic constraints. Implications of these practices for S. asiatica are unknown. A 4-season factorial experiment compared the current farmer practice of rice − maize rotation, involving seasonal tillage and crop residue removal (CONV), with three rice − maize rotation systems following CA with different cover crops, i.e. Vigna unguiculata (cowpea) and Mucuna pruriens (CACM), Vigna umbellata (ricebean) (CARB), and Stylosanthes guianensis (CAST). Performance of two rice varieties, NERICA-4 and −9, with partial S. asiatica resistance, were compared with the locally popular B22. Parasite emergence time, numbers, and seed bank sizes were recorded. In all CA practices S. asiatica infection was significantly reduced. Best results were obtained with Stylosanthes guianensis (CAST). This species also suppressed ordinary weeds much better than other cover crops. With CAST, average parasite emergence was delayed by 7.5 days (in rice) and 6.3 days (in maize) and infection levels were reduced by 79% (in rice) and 92% (in maize) compared to the conventional farmer practice (CONV). NERICA varieties delayed S. asiatica emergence by 5.7 days (NERICA-9) and 9.7 days (NERICA-4) and reduced infection levels by 57% (NERICA-9) and 91% (NERICA-4) compared to B22. In maize the residual effect of resistance of NERICA-4 resulted in a delay of 7.5 days in S. asiatica emergence and a reduction of 60% in parasite numbers. The best combinations delay S. asiatica emergence by 17.8 days (CAST + NERICA-9) and 19.1 days (CARB + NERICA-4) and reduce the parasite infection levels by 96% (CAST + NERICA-9 or −4) to 98% (CARB + NERICA-4) in rice, compared to CONV + B22. After two full rice-maize rotation cycles S. asiatica seed numbers in the soil (0–10 cm) were 76% (CACM), 78% (CAST) and 86% (CARB) lower than under CONV. Even the combination of zero-tillage, crop residue mulching, cover crops and resistant rice varieties does not entirely prevent S. asiatica parasitism and seed bank increase. Additional measures, targeted to escaping weeds, would be required for fully effective and long-term control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examine the effects of supplementing bahiagrass hay (BG) with potentially anthelmintic quantities of hays of perennial peanut (PEA) or sericea lespedeza (LES) or seeds of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.; MUC) or papaya (PAP) on the intake and nutritive value (Experiment 1), and the performance and parasite burden (Experiment 2) of goats. Methods: In Experiment 1, 38 male goats (27.4±5.7 kg body weight) were randomly assigned to each of 5 treatments: i) BG alone and BG plus; ii) PEA; iii) LES; iv) MUC; and v) PAP. Goats were fed for ad libitum consumption and adapted to the diets for 14 d followed by 7 d of measurement. The PEA, LES, MUC (50%, 50%, and 10% of the diet dry matter [DM], respectively), and PAP (forced-fed at 10 g/d) were fed at rates that would elicit anthelmintic effects. In Experiment 2, goats remained in the same treatments but were allocated to 15 pens (3 pens per treatment) from d 22 to 63. All goats were infected with parasites by grazing an infected bahiagrass pasture from 0800 to 1500 h daily and then returned to the pens. Results: Dry matter intake tended to be greater in goats fed PEA and LES than those fed BG (757 and 745 vs 612 g/d, respectively). Digestibility of DM (59.5% vs 54.9%) and organic matter (60.8% vs 56.0%) were greater in goats fed MUC vs BG, respectively. In Experiment 2, feeding PAP, LES, and PEA to goats reduced nematode fecal egg counts by 72%, 52%, and 32%, reduced abomasal adult worm counts by 78%, 52%, and 42%, and decreased plasma haptoglobin concentrations by 42%, 40%, and 45% relative to feeding BG alone, respectively. Conclusion: Supplementation with PEA, LES, and PAP decreased the parasite burden of goats but did not increase their performance. PAP was the most effective anthelmintic supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]