Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the body's ability to move. The disease may start with small hand tremors and progress to a slowing or loss of movement. Conventional therapies like levodopa, dopamine agonists and MAOIs may elevate dopamine levels and temporarily control symptoms, but they can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs, though not a substitute for conventional care, offer an alternative therapy that may help protect neurons and relieve symptoms. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Caapi
Caapi, or Banisteriopsis caapi, is a climbing vine from South American tropical forests. It is used ritually as an ingredient in the sacred hallucinogenic drink called ayahuasca, and medicinally to treat parasites and indigestion. The plant contains the alkaloids harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are MAO inhibitors. MAOs, or monoamine oxidases, are enzymes that break down neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin; MAO inhibitors, or MAOIs, prevent this degradation and increase the amount and availability of the neurotransmitter to nerve cells. A study published in the 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested an extract of caapi for MAO inhibitory and antioxidant actions. The study found that harmine and harmaline protect against neuron degeneration due to potent MAO-A inhibition and moderate MAO-B inhibition. Generally, MAO-A breaks down norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, and MAO-B degrades dopamine, so caapi's effect on both enzymes is beneficial. The researchers also found two potent antioxidants, epicatechin and procyanidin, which also inhibit MAO-B and protect neurons from free radical damage. Studies on humans are needed to confirm these findings.
Zhen-Wu-Tang
Zhen-Wu-Tang is an ancient Chinese medicine formula for "body vibration," a symptom that fits with Western medicine's description of Parkinson's disease. Contemporary traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use the formula to treat kidney disease, hypothyroidism and degenerative diseases like Parkinson's. It consists of five ingredients: white peony root, or Paconia lactiflora; Atractylodes root, or Atractylodes macrocephala; giant typhonium root, or Typhonium giganteum; poria fungus, or Poria cocos; and fresh ginger, or Zingiber officinale. A study published in the July 2010 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" tested this formula on test animals with induces symptoms of Parkinson's. The study found that Zhen-Wu-Tang had a neuroprotective effect due to its antioxidant action in eliminating free radicals, which contribute neurodegeneration. The researchers intend to continue studying this formula to understand how it increases the survival of the neurons that synthesize dopamine. Studies are also needed on human subjects to test the efficacy of this formula.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is a perennial shrub cultivated in India for its medicinal roots. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it is considered one of the rasayana, or rejuvenating herbs, as well as an adaptogen, a tonic herb that helps the body fight stress and fatigue. The active ingredients are the alkaloids and steroidal lactones, and the root is used to treat rheumatism, hypertension, neurodegeneration and insomnia. An animal study published in the September 2009 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that ashwagandha has a protective effect on neurons due to its antioxidant properties. After seven and 28 days, antioxidant and dopamine levels in the treated animals were significantly higher, and motor function was improved, compared to the control animals. The researchers state that the antioxidants in ashwagandha are likely responsible for the improvement. Further studies are needed to test these findings in human subjects.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Banisteriopsis caapi, a unique combination of MAO inhibitory and antioxidative constituents for the activities relevant to neurodegenerative disorders and Parkinson's disease; Samoylenko V, et al.; February 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Ameliorative and neuroprotective effect in MPTP model of Parkinson's disease by Zhen-Wu-Tang (ZWT), a traditional Chinese medicine; Li XM, et al.; July 2010
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Withania somnifera root extract improves catecholamines and physiological abnormalities seen in a Parkinson's disease model mouse; RajaSankar S, et al.; September 2009
