Quality assessment of "naturally occurring" high-percentage L-dopa commercial products proposed as dietary supplements on the Internet: from labeling to analytical findings.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Levodopa (L-dihydroxyphenylalanine or L-dopa) is a precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine and is used in Parkinson's disease therapy. L-dopa dietary supplements are widely marketed as brain support. Among the L-dopa products claiming to contain botanical extracts, those from Mucuna pruriens are the most frequently offered on the Internet. The natural percentage of L-dopa in M. pruriens seeds or leaves varies from 1% to 7%, but extracts standardized at higher percentages of L-dopa are also available.

Methods

Four L-dopa products marketed as dietary supplements were purchased online and analyzed for labeling accuracy. The identification of L-dopa and the detection of undeclared pharmaceutical or nootropic ingredients were carried out via mass spe

SUBMITTER: Aureli F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12568576 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature