Evidence supporting the use of: Biopterin
For the health condition: Parkinson's Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Biopterin and Parkinson's Disease: Scientific Evidence Overview
Biopterin refers to a group of compounds related to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), a critical cofactor in the synthesis of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Parkinson's Disease (PD) is characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to dopamine deficiency. Given BH4's role in dopamine biosynthesis (as a cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine production), there is a plausible biochemical rationale for exploring its use in PD.
Several studies have shown that BH4 levels may be reduced in the brains of individuals with PD. Experimental and early clinical research has investigated whether supplementation with BH4 can improve dopamine synthesis or alleviate symptoms. Some small-scale trials and case reports suggest that BH4 supplementation may modestly improve motor symptoms in select PD patients, particularly when combined with other dopaminergic treatments. However, results have been inconsistent, and overall clinical benefit remains unproven.
Major neurology guidelines do not currently recommend biopterin or BH4 supplementation as standard therapy for PD. The evidence base is limited by small sample sizes, lack of robust randomized controlled trials, and variable clinical outcomes. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary research, the overall quality and consistency of the evidence supporting biopterin use in PD is low.
Other ingredients used for Parkinson's Disease
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Acetyl L-carnitine
Agmatine
Akkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
apigenin
ashwagandha
astragalin
bacoside
baicalein
baicalin
beta caryophyllene
biopterin
black garlic
brahmi
broad bean
butyrate triglyceride
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
catalpol
catechins
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
creatine
curcumin
decarboxylase
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ergothioneine
fava bean
ferulic acid
fisetin
fish oil
fo-ti
gastrodin
ginkgo biloba
Ginsenosides
Glucoraphanin
Glycosphingolipids
gotu kola
green tea
Gypenoside
Haematococcus pluvialis
hericium mushroom
Honokiol
icariin
inosine
isoliquiritigenin
Jatamansi
Kaempferol
L-carnosine
L-glutathione
lingzhi
lion's mane
luteolin
magnolol
mangiferin
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
Melatonin
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
Nobiletin
Oleuropein
omega-3 fatty acids
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
phosphatidylserine
Phosphocreatine
phytocannabinoids
Puerain
Puerarin
pyrroloquinoline quinone
quercetin
resveratrol
Salidroside
Salvianolic acid
SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
Shilajit
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Tanshinone
Trehalose
Triacetyluridine
Tumerone
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Urolithin A
velvet bean
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Vitexin
Withanolides
Wogonin
Xanthine
Xanthohumol
Xanthone
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)