Actions & Uses of Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens)

Authors:

Dr. Brijbala Vasishth MD (Ay-Kayachikitsa)

Dr. Sunil Vasishth MD (Ay-Kayachikitsa), PhD (Hridroga)

Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens) holds an important place in ayurveda pharmacopoeia because of its several unique actions. Here, we discuss the same, largely for the benefit of the doctors and other healthcare personnel, practicing in ayurveda and other traditional systems of medicine, spread across the globe. 

1. Androgenic (vaRYya / vaajaIkrNa / Sau?-kRt\) 

Kapikachhu has been described in ayurveda as a potent aphrodisiac (vaajaIkrM prma\). It is indicative of its androgenic activity. The same has been proven through scientific research, as well. In an experimental study on rats, the methanolic seed extract of Kapikachhu was seen to significantly increase the relative weight of the testes, serum and testicular testosterone level, testicular cholesterol level, protein level in the testis and epididymis, and epididymal alkaline phosphatase activity. All these findings confirm the androgenic activity of Kapikachhu. (1)

In another study, when administered in either sex rats, it significantly increased the mounting frequency, intromission frequency, ejaculation latency; and decreased the mounting latency, intromission latency, post-ejaculatory interval and interintromission interval. The potency test significantly increased erections, quick flips, long flips and total reflex. Kapikachhu, thus, produced a significant and sustained increase in the sexual activity of normal male rats when given in appropriate doses.(2)

In yet another study, conducted on Kapikachhu, it was seen to improve male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. It significantly improved serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline levels in infertile men and reduced the levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin hormone (PRL). Sperm count and motility improve significantly. Further, Kapikachhu significantly improves sperm count and motility in men with mental stress.(3,4,5) 

On the basis of its androgenic activity, Kapikachhu seeds are used in Ayurveda for the management of several male reproductive disorders, including – low sperm count (oligospermia), low motility of the spermatozoa, low quantity of semen, erectile dysfunction (ED), and premature ejaculation (PME). 

References--
1.vaajaIkrM prma\ (Baava p`kaSa inaGaNTu)
2.K. Muthu et al., African Journal of Biotechnology: Vol. 10 No. 66, 2011. 
3.Suresh S, Prithiviraj E, Prakash S. Dose and time dependent effects of ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed on sexual behaviour of normal male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 122(3): 2009; 497-501.
4.Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Shankhwar SN, Rajender S, Jaiswar SP. Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus pituitary gonadal axis. Fertil Steril. 92(6): 2009; 1934-40.
5.Shukla KK, Mahdi AA, Ahmad MK, Jaiswar SP, Shankwar SN, Tiwari SC. Mucuna pruriens Reduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men. Evid Based Complement. Alternat Med. 7(1): 2007; 137-144. 
6.Paul Udoh, Joseph Ekpenyong. Effect of Mucuna urens (horse eye bean) on the gonads of male guinea-pigs Issue. Phytotherapy Research. 15(2):2001; 99–102. 

2. Anti-Parkinsonian (kmpvaathr) 

Kapikachhu contains L-DOPA, the amino acid that acts as a precursor for dopamine. As deficiency of dopamine forms the key abnormality in Parkinson’s, supplementation of the L-DOPA (the precursor of dopamine) by Kapikachhu makes it especially useful for the management of Parkinson’s disease. It is seen to significantly increase the brain mitochondrial complex-I activity. Further, it significantly restores the endogenous L-dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin content in the substantia nigra. Nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and coenzyme Q-10 reported to have a therapeutic benefit in Parkinson's disease are also present in Kapikachhu.(1,2) In ayurveda, Kapikachhu has been described as vata-hara / vata-shamanam / vata-kshayapaha (Neuro-endocrine harmonizer).(3) As Parkinson’s disease primarily originates in the nervous system, it seems quite prudent to regard Kapikachhu effective in this disease. On the basis of this activity, Kapikachhu is widely used for the management of Parkinson’s disease (kmpvaat). 

References--
1.Kasture S, Pontis S, Pinna A, Schintu N, Spina L, Longoni R, Simola N, Ballero M, Morelli M. Assessment of symptomatic and neuroprotective efficacy of Mucuna pruriens seed extract in rodent model of Parkinson's disease. Neurotox Res. 15(2): 2009; 111-22. 
2.Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M and Hare TA. Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens. Phtother. Res. 18(9): 2004; 706-712. 31.Suresh S, Prithiviraj E, Prakash S. Dose and time depend 
3.vaatSamanama\ (Baava p`kaSa inaGaNTu), Ainalahrma\ (kOyadova inaGaNTu), vaatxayaapha (raja inaGaNTu).

3. Anabolic (baRMhNa) 

Kapikachhu promotes the normal growth of cells and tissues in two ways – (i) In children and adolescents, it promotes the growth of the cells and tissues, so that they attain the optimal physical growth; and (ii) In adults, it prevents premature degeneration and death of the cells, and promotes their growth.(1) In Ayurveda, Kapikachhu has been described as Brimhana – a term that implies the normal growth of the body tissues and organs.(2)  On the basis of its activity to promote the normal cellular growth and multiplication of cells and tissues, Kapikachhu is used in children and adolescents with poor physical growth. In adults, Kapikachhu is used for the prevention and management of degenerative disorders – osteoarthritis (OA), senile dementia, retinal degeneration, neuropathies, etc. 

References--
1.Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 2017, Vol. 5, No. 12, 925-927. 
2.baRhNama\ (kOyadova inaGaNTu).

4. Anti-tumor (Aba-udhr)

Experimental studies carried out on mice show that methanolic extract of Kapikachhu possesses significant antitumor activity.(1) We get two indirect references in ayurveda so for as the antitumor activity of Kapikachhu is concerned. One, almost all nighantus (ancient texts of ayurveda pharmacology and therapeutics) have described Kapikachhu as vata-hara (neuro-hormonal harmonizer). As cell multiplication comes largely under the purview of vata-dosha in ayurveda, and tumors being the result of uncontrolled multiplication of cells, it seems quite relevant to think of vata-dosha abnormality in the genesis of tumors (Aba-ud). That indirectly indicates the acceptance of the role of Kapikachhu in the management of tumors. Two, another significant of Kapikachhu described be several ayurveda authors is, it helps in the management of dushta-vrana (duYT-va`Na-ivaSaaoQanama\, duYT-va`Na-ivanaaiSanaI, ivakRt-va`Na-naaiSanaI), that indicates the Acknowledgement of the significant role of Kapikachhu in the management of tumors (esp. malignant).(2) On the basis of this activity, coupled by its other activities of improving general health, immunity, and vitality, it seems quite reasonable to use Kapikachhu as an anti-tumor drugs.   

References--
1.Yerra Rajeshwar, Malaya Gupta and Upal Kanti Mazumder. Antitumor Activity and in vivo Antioxidant Status of Mucuna pruriens (Fabaceae) Seeds against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice. Iranian Journal of Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 4(1): 2005; 46-53.
2.vaatSamanama\ (Baava p`kaSa inaGaNTu), Ainalahrma\ (kOyadova inaGaNTu), vaatxayaapha (raja inaGaNTu).

5. Anti-inflammatory (Saaoqahr), Analgesic (vaodnaahr), & Antipyretic (jvarhr)

Kapikachhu has been found to possess significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activity.(1,2) We get indirect references in ayurveda so for as its anti-inflammatory activity is concerned. Several nighantus have described Kapikachhu as pitta-hara (Anti-enzymatic), and rakta/asra-hara (Purificatory, decongestant). It is beyond any doubt that pitta (Enzymes) and rakta (blood cells and plasma) play the key role in the development of shotha (Inflammation). Ascribing pitta-hara and rakta-hara attributes to Kapikachhu is the clear cut acceptance of the anti-inflammatory activity of the medicinal herb.(3) 

References--
1.Hishikar R, Shastry S, Shinde S and Gupta SS. Preliminary phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activity of seeds of Mucuna pruriens. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 13(1): 1981; 97-98.
2.Lauk L, Galati EM, Kirjavainen S, Forestieri AM and Trovato A. Analgesic and antipyretic effects of Mucuna pruriens. Int. J. Pharm. 31: 1993; 263-264.
3.ip<aasa`naaiSanaI (Baava p`kaSa inaGaNTu), r@tip<ahrma\ (kOyadova inaGaNTu), ip<aasa`hn~I (raja inaGaNTu).

6. Anti-diabetic (maQaumaohhr)

Many scientific studies carried out on Kapikachhu reveal that it has antidiabetic activity.(1) In Ayurveda, we get indirect indication about the usefulness of this medicinal herb in the management of diabetes mellitus. Several nighantus have described Kapikachhu as vata-hara (Neuro-hormonal harmonizer) and balya (Antioxidant, Immune-boosting).(2) On the basis of these activities, Kapikachhu seems quite useful for the management of diabetes mellitus, particularly in its late/advanced stages, when there is neuro-endocrine system is severely affected and the immunity is at its lowest ebb. In ayurveda, this stage is described as vataja-prameha. For obvious reasons, drugs that harmonize the neuro-hormonal system and improve the immunity of the patient are quite relevant during this stage. It is therefore quite advisable to use Kapikachhu in the management of diabetes mellitus (maQaumaoh vaatja p`maoh).   

References--
1.Kar A, Choudhary BK and Bandyopadhyay NG. Comparative evaluation of hypoglycemic activity of some Indianmedicinal plants in alloxan diabetic rats. J. Ethnopharmacol. 84: 2003; 105-8. 
2.vaathrI balyaa (Baava p`kaSa inaGaNTu), vaathrma\ (kOyadova inaGaNTu), vaatxayaapha (raja inaGaNTu).

Dr.Vasishth’s Products Available:

Kapikachhu seeds extract tablet 600 mg (Equivalent to 3 gms of Kapikachhu churna)   

Higro tablet(Kapikachhu + Ashwagandha + Shilajatu + Yashad)

Produced for the information of Ayurveda doctors, by: 

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Contact: +91-9419205439, 7043003373, Email: ayurem@gmail.com, Website: www.drvasishths.com, YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/drvasishthsayuremedies