Advancements in Dopamine Research: Exploring Resources, Therapeutic Potential, and Metabolism

Dopamine is a predominant monoamine neurotransmitter that has a critical role in various physiological processes like cardiovascular regulation, cognitive processes, and renal functions. Its in vivo synthesis requires the rate-limiting conversion of tyrosine to dopamine via the action of tyrosine hydroxylase. Dopamine can be naturally extracted from Mucuna pruriens seeds and Vicia fava beans. Moreover, it exhibits pharmacological potential for the treatment of various diseases like Huntington’s disease, congestive heart failure, septic shock, and Parkinson’s disease. L-DOPA acts as a prodrug, and its improved newer formulations possess better therapeutic properties that overcome the limitations of the existing treatment options. However, despite having considerable medicinal properties, dopamine can cause oxidative stress and degeneration of cells due to the production of reactive oxygen species during its metabolism.