Abstract Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Papilionaceae) is used in male impotency, as aphrodisiac, in sexualdebility, and as nervine tonic. It also possesses anti-parkinson property, possibly due to the presence ofL-DOPA. Market samples of ‘Atmagupta’ (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC) an Indian Ayurvedic and Siddha drugcontain seeds of seven taxa. The dried powders of commercial and genuine samples were analysed forL–DOPA content and CNS activity. Results showed high L-DOPA content in M. deeringiana and low L –DOPA content in Canavalia ensiformis. C. virosa had more CNS depressant activity than other speciesstudied. The present findings also suggested that the commercial samples contain differentconcentration of L-DOPA and CNS activity compared with genuine. [avf_view name="Article Addons" view-id="66d98451c48e3"]