**3. Use of different bioactive compounds from** *Mucuna* **in various application**

#### **3.1 Antioxidant activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

Numerous studies on antioxidant activity and phytoconstituents content of *Mucuna* seeds, leaves and roots were performed previously [4, 7, 19, 30, 31, 59–62]. Optimization of different solvents for the extraction of antioxidants was done by Aware and Patil et al. [9, 10, 26]. They concluded that depending on solubility of antioxidant compounds present in different species of *Mucuna*, concentration of antioxidants differs. Most commonly, ethanolic extract of *Mucuna* shows good antioxidant activity due to high phenolic content [43]. Some reports also conclude that water is a universal solvent, which shows significant quantity of phenolic, flavonoids and strong antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals using different assays. Diseases like neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, aging, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation are caused by oxidative stresses, which are protected by ROS and RNS [60]. LCMS report of four different species of *Mucuna* determines the presence of various components like phenolic, flavonoids and bioactive compounds, which are responsible for production of reactive species [38].

#### **3.2 Antimicrobial activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

There are several compounds in *Mucuna* that contribute for the antimicrobial activity as reported in a previous study [38, 43]. These compounds are responsible for the treatment of various infectious diseases and ulcers [63]. The study on various plant pathogens suggests that methanolic extract of *Mucuna pruriens* seeds showed highest antimicrobial activity [64] from all used solvents. A similar type

**139**

*Bioactive Components of Magical Velvet Beans DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92124*

traditional as well as modern medicine [65].

**3.3 Protective effect against snake venom**

than few reported antivenom [71, 72].

**3.4 Anti-Parkinson's activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

cations by routine use and economical feasibility.

**3.5 Use of** *Mucuna* **species in soil fertility**

of study was done by Pujari *et al.*, who concluded that methanol extract of seeds of *Mucuna pruriens* was found to impart the best inhibiting activity among all scrutinized pathogens as compared to ethanol and acetone solvents. But alcoholic extract of *Mucuna pruriens* (L.) leaves has significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which has strongly recommended the use of *Mucuna* leaves and seed extract in

Snakebite kills countless people annually since ancient days [66]. Various reports show the cross-reactivity between the enzyme of snake venom and protein from *Mucuna*, which determines the activity of *Mucuna* against snake venom [32, 67–69]. Betancur *et al.* in their review on therapeutics of antisnake venom explain the effectiveness of herbal plants, which act as coadjuvants and thus help to nullify the venom toxic action [68]. In recent literature, Kasturiratne *et al.* studied the global scenario of snakebite and deaths. They also elucidate that various traditional medicines were sometimes preferred with western drugs [70]. The protective effect of *Mucuna* in a study on mice or rat models proves that it has a good activity for curing snake bite,

Parkinson's disease (PD) was initially discovered by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817. It is a chronic neurological disorder triggered by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons present in the nigrostriatal part of the brain and found to be common in the US [73]. The major signs of the disease are complications in body movements, speaking, walking and many more complications arise as the disease progresses. Anti-Parkinson's potential of *Mucuna* is well known from ancient times due to its l-dopa content [7, 74]. l-Dopa is a precursor of dopamine used in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Various scientists studied the potential of *Mucuna* to produce l-dopa as a source of anti-Parkinson's drug [8, 19, 75]. l-Dopa with other phytochemical compounds has a cumulative effect on the management of Parkinson's disease. Patil *et al.* describe that there is a correlation among the l-dopa, protein and carbohydrate content [12]. *Mucuna* is a rich source of antioxidant compounds, which performs a very important role in the physiology of the body mainly functioning in the inhibition of damage occurred because of free radicals [76]. There are hundreds of compounds that function as antioxidants in the plant system mainly vitamins, polyphenols, enzymes, flavonoids and metals like zinc, selenium, etc. [77]. The efficiency of the use of l-dopa and another dopaminergic agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is reviewed previously by Koller and Rueda [78]. The use of plants for the treatment is more beneficial than chemically manufactured medicines due to their infinitesimal occurrence of secondary compli-

Cover crops have a role in the nitrogen-fixing bacteria and improvement of soil fertility by restoration of soil nutrients. Enormous use of chemical fertilizer and water in soil makes soil infertile, to overcome this problem, farmers are implementing traditional methods to enhance soil fertility. Mucuna is one of the best examples of a cover crop that has a rich source of biological natural products, which will

increase the enhance soil fertility and fix atmospheric nitrogen [35].

*Bioactive Components of Magical Velvet Beans DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92124*

*Legume Crops - Prospects, Production and Uses*

*Mucuna pruriens* [50]. Media containing various concentrations of media components affects biologically active chemicals and growth of the callus [51, 52]. The use of different elicitors and precursors are studied by Nandeo and Patel et al. [53, 54]. Implementation of precursor in the media of callus enhances the phenolic content as reported in prior studies. The percentage of phenolic is greater in callus culture than

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are stress-producing free radicals, but at usual level perform an important part in the physiology of the body [57] to accommodate the massive demands for l-dopa and other secondary metabolites. *In vitro* production of biologically active compounds from suspension culture is predominantly studied before in *Mucuna* plant by Chattopadhyay et al. [50]. The use of mevalonic acid and its precursor gibberellic acid affect the growth. l-Dopa in callus exhibits a declining trend in fresh weight with a rise in concentration of l-dopa as shown by Desai et al. [52]. The comparative study of production of l-dopa from cell suspension culture and effect of elicitor on two different species like *Mucuna pruriens* L. and *Mucuna prurita* H were also done previously [58]. Largescale production of phytochemicals and l-dopa was done from *Mucuna pruriens* L*.* Commercial production of the drugs (l-dopa), phenolic flavonoids and antioxidants

in seeds, which is very helpful for industrial production [55, 56].

**2.4 Bioactive compounds from cell suspension of** *Mucuna*

using cell suspension cultures is in extensive practice nowadays.

**3.1 Antioxidant activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

**3.2 Antimicrobial activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

**3. Use of different bioactive compounds from** *Mucuna* **in various** 

Numerous studies on antioxidant activity and phytoconstituents content of *Mucuna* seeds, leaves and roots were performed previously [4, 7, 19, 30, 31, 59–62]. Optimization of different solvents for the extraction of antioxidants was done by Aware and Patil et al. [9, 10, 26]. They concluded that depending on solubility of antioxidant compounds present in different species of *Mucuna*, concentration of antioxidants differs. Most commonly, ethanolic extract of *Mucuna* shows good antioxidant activity due to high phenolic content [43]. Some reports also conclude that water is a universal solvent, which shows significant quantity of phenolic, flavonoids and strong antioxidants that can scavenge free radicals using different assays. Diseases like neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, aging, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammation are caused by oxidative stresses, which are protected by ROS and RNS [60]. LCMS report of four different species of *Mucuna* determines the presence of various components like phenolic, flavonoids and bioactive compounds, which are responsible for production of reactive

There are several compounds in *Mucuna* that contribute for the antimicrobial activity as reported in a previous study [38, 43]. These compounds are responsible for the treatment of various infectious diseases and ulcers [63]. The study on various plant pathogens suggests that methanolic extract of *Mucuna pruriens* seeds showed highest antimicrobial activity [64] from all used solvents. A similar type

**138**

species [38].

**application**

of study was done by Pujari *et al.*, who concluded that methanol extract of seeds of *Mucuna pruriens* was found to impart the best inhibiting activity among all scrutinized pathogens as compared to ethanol and acetone solvents. But alcoholic extract of *Mucuna pruriens* (L.) leaves has significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which has strongly recommended the use of *Mucuna* leaves and seed extract in traditional as well as modern medicine [65].

#### **3.3 Protective effect against snake venom**

Snakebite kills countless people annually since ancient days [66]. Various reports show the cross-reactivity between the enzyme of snake venom and protein from *Mucuna*, which determines the activity of *Mucuna* against snake venom [32, 67–69]. Betancur *et al.* in their review on therapeutics of antisnake venom explain the effectiveness of herbal plants, which act as coadjuvants and thus help to nullify the venom toxic action [68]. In recent literature, Kasturiratne *et al.* studied the global scenario of snakebite and deaths. They also elucidate that various traditional medicines were sometimes preferred with western drugs [70]. The protective effect of *Mucuna* in a study on mice or rat models proves that it has a good activity for curing snake bite, than few reported antivenom [71, 72].

#### **3.4 Anti-Parkinson's activity of** *Mucuna* **species**

Parkinson's disease (PD) was initially discovered by Dr. James Parkinson in 1817. It is a chronic neurological disorder triggered by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons present in the nigrostriatal part of the brain and found to be common in the US [73]. The major signs of the disease are complications in body movements, speaking, walking and many more complications arise as the disease progresses. Anti-Parkinson's potential of *Mucuna* is well known from ancient times due to its l-dopa content [7, 74]. l-Dopa is a precursor of dopamine used in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Various scientists studied the potential of *Mucuna* to produce l-dopa as a source of anti-Parkinson's drug [8, 19, 75]. l-Dopa with other phytochemical compounds has a cumulative effect on the management of Parkinson's disease. Patil *et al.* describe that there is a correlation among the l-dopa, protein and carbohydrate content [12]. *Mucuna* is a rich source of antioxidant compounds, which performs a very important role in the physiology of the body mainly functioning in the inhibition of damage occurred because of free radicals [76]. There are hundreds of compounds that function as antioxidants in the plant system mainly vitamins, polyphenols, enzymes, flavonoids and metals like zinc, selenium, etc. [77]. The efficiency of the use of l-dopa and another dopaminergic agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is reviewed previously by Koller and Rueda [78]. The use of plants for the treatment is more beneficial than chemically manufactured medicines due to their infinitesimal occurrence of secondary complications by routine use and economical feasibility.

#### **3.5 Use of** *Mucuna* **species in soil fertility**

Cover crops have a role in the nitrogen-fixing bacteria and improvement of soil fertility by restoration of soil nutrients. Enormous use of chemical fertilizer and water in soil makes soil infertile, to overcome this problem, farmers are implementing traditional methods to enhance soil fertility. Mucuna is one of the best examples of a cover crop that has a rich source of biological natural products, which will increase the enhance soil fertility and fix atmospheric nitrogen [35].
