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La Maca es una planta que se cultiva únicamente en la altiplanicie andina de Puna, entre los 3.700 y 4.500 metros de elevación, en el Perú. Esta planta produce un tubérculo apto para el consumo humano, que constituye una base vital para la alimentación de la población andina que no logra cultivar otros alimentos en esas alturas.
Ha sido utilizada desde la época de los Incas como estimulante sexual y para mejorar la fertilidad. Estas cualidades llamaron la atención de los conquistadores españoles, que la comenzaron a utilizar para mejorar su desempeño sexual. Hoy en día se expende en los mercados peruanos con esa finalidad y también como alimento.
Los peruanos lo llaman 'Ginseng de los Andes' (aunque no pertenece a la familia Panax por lo que no es un verdadero Ginseng) y 'Viagra Vegetal' y lo utilizan para tratar la esterilidad, disfunciones sexuales y reproductivas (impotencia, infertilidad, menopausia y hemorragias uterinas disfuncionales).
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PRESIONE LA BOTELLA PARA CONOCER LA PLANTA |
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Principios activos
Los estudios analíticos revelan que contiene numerosos principios biológicamente activos, pero los que explican sus propiedades son los siguientes:
1) Alcaloides:
• Macaridina (derivado benzilado del 1,2-dihidro-N-hidroxipiridina)
• Lepidilina A
• Lepidilina B |
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2) Benzil-isotiocianatos y glucosinolatos (que se asocian a la fertilidad humana) |
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| 3) Amidas benciladas: Macamidas y macaenos |
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5) Beta-ecdisona .
6) Sitosterol |
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Además, contiene cantidades significativas de aminoácidos y proteínas, carbohidratos complejos, calcio, fósforo, zinc, magnesio, hierro, yodo y vitaminas B1, B2, B12, C y E. |
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Indicaciones:
Suplemento nutricional
Un estudio en ratones demuestra mejor crecimiento en los ratones alimentados con Lepidium. Además, los valores de proteínas y albúmina fueron estadísticamente superiores en los ratones alimentados con Lepidium. En el Perú se utiliza el polvo de Maca para suplementar la alimentación, especialmente en niños desnutridos, y forma parte de los planes gubernamentales contra la desnutrición.
Propiedades adaptogénicas
Sus principios activos son capaces de disminuir o eliminar las variaciones producidas por el estrés, dado que reduce o elimina las úlceras, las elevaciones de corticosterona, la reducción de glucosa y el aumento en el peso de las glándulas suprarrenales inducidas por estrés. Se han obtenido resultados positivos en las pruebas de nado forzado. (12,13)
Infertilidad y Deseo sexual
Estudios en ratones demuestran que la ingestión de Lepidium aumenta los niveles de Progesterona y Testosterona, sin embargo, los estudios en seres humanos ofrecen resultados contradictorios: 2 estudios clínicos determinaron que el consumo de Lepidium no aumenta los niveles de LH, FSH, Prolactina, 17-alfa-hidroxiprogesterona, testosterona ni 17-beta estradiol (3)) . Un estudio, que justificó la aprobación de patente norteamericana afirma que Maca aumenta los niveles de testosterona en humanos.
Dos estudios en ratas masculinas reportan que los extractos de Lepidium aumentaron la frecuencia copulatoria y disminuyeron significativamente los períodos de latencia intercopulatoria (7,9,11). Además, aumenta la espermatogénesis . Un estudio, que justificó la aprobación de patente norteamericana, afirma que los extractos de Maca pueden ser utilizados en el tratamiento de la disfunción sexual .
Otro estudio en humanos reporta que la ingestión de Maca incrementó el volumen seminal, el contaje espermático por eyaculación y contaje de espermatozoides móviles. (15) Otro estudio en humanos demuestra que Maca aumenta el deseo sexual. (16)
Estudios preliminares reportan que también aumenta significativamente el volumen del líquido seminal, movilidad y recuento espermático y mejora la fertilidad en reses. Existen reportes que sugieren una buena correlación entre los resultados obtenidos en estudios sobre animales y estudios en humanos, que sugieren efectos benéficos de la Maca sobre la fecundidad y procreación humana. Esto, combinado con siglos de uso tradicional, sustenta fuertemente su utilización como un vigorizante natural de la sexualidad. |
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Bajo los principios de la Medicina Sistémica, Lepidium meyenii es una planta energizante, debido a sus propiedades adaptogénicas: |
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Efectos secundarios:
Ninguno |
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Dosificación:
Cada cápsula contiene 500 mg de polvo de Maca. Recomendamos la ingestión de 2 a 3 cápsulas con cada comida. |
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| Contraindicaciones:
Ninguna |
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Referencias
1: J Vet Med Sci. 2003 Oct;65(10):1145-6.
Effects of Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha on blood levels of estradiol-17 beta, progesterone, testosterone and the rate of embryo implantation in mice.
Oshima M, Gu Y, Tsukada S. Graduate School of Medical Imaging, Suzuka University of Medical Science, Suzuka-chi, Mie, Japan.
The effects of two Peruvian folk medicines, Lepidium meyenii Walp and Jatropha macrantha, on mouse sex steroid hormones and embryo implantation were investigated. Progesterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp, while testosterone levels increased significantly in mice that received L. meyenii Walp as well as in those that received both L. meyenii Walp and J. macrantha. However, there were no marked changes in blood levels of estradiol-17beta or the rate of embryo implantation. |
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2: J Nat Prod. 2003 Aug;66(8):1101-3.
Imidazole alkaloids from Lepidium meyenii.
Cui B, Zheng BL, He K. PureWorld Botanicals, Inc., South Hackensack , New Jersey , USA . |
| Two new imidazole alkaloids (lepidiline A and lepidiline B) have been isolated from a root extract of Lepidium meyenii with the common name Maca and identified as 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolium chloride (1) and 1,3-dibenzyl-2,4,5-trimethylimidazolium chloride (2), respectively. The structures of these two new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction performed on compound 1. |
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3: J Endocrinol. 2003 Jan;176(1):163-8.
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men.
Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura , and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m in the central Andes . Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed aphrodisiac and/or fertility-enhancing properties. This study was a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Maca Gelatinizada was compared with a placebo. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that Maca has no effect on serum reproductive hormone levels in apparently healthy men when administered in doses used for aphrodisiac and/or fertility-enhancing properties. Men aged between 21 and 56 Years received 1500 mg or 3000 mg Maca. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, 17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone, testosterone and 17-beta estradiol were measured before and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with placebo or Maca ( 1.5 g or 3.0 g per day). Data showed that compared with placebo Maca had no effect on any of the hormones studied nor did the hormones show any changes over time. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum testosterone levels were not affected by treatment with Maca at any of the times studied (P, not significant). In conclusion, treatment with Maca does not affect serum reproductive hormone levels.
Publication Types: Clinical Trial, Randomized Controlled Trial |
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4: J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Sep 25;50(20):5621-5.
Investigation of the tuber constituents of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.).
Piacente S, Carbone V, Plaza A. Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Universita degli Studi di Salerno, Fisciano, Italy. |
| Lepidium meyenii, known in South America as maca, has received attention worldwide as a powerful energizer that improves physical and mental conditions and increases fertility. Because of these reports, we investigated the secondary metabolites of the tuber of maca. The methanol extract of the tuber of maca contained, in addition to free sugars and amino acids, the following: uridine, malic acid and its benzoyl derivative, and the glucosinolates, glucotropaeolin and m-methoxyglucotropaeolin. Because glucosinolates and their derived products have received increasing attention due to their biological activities, the occurrence of glucosinolate degradation products in the hexane extract was also investigated, and benzylisothiocyanate and its m-methoxy derivative were isolated. The two glucosinolates were semiquantified by HPLC, and benzylisothiocyanate was semiquantified by GC/MS. The methanol extract of maca tuber also contained (1R,3S)-1-methyltetrahydro-beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid, a molecule which is reported to exert many activities on the central nervous system. |
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5: Phytochemistry. 2002 Sep;61(2):149-55.
Composition of the essential oil of Lepidium meyenii (Walp).
Tellez MR, Khan IA , Kobaisy M. Natural Products Utilization Research Unit, USDA-ARS, University , MS , USA . |
| The essential oil profile of maca (Lepidium meyenii) obtained from Lima , Peru , was examined. Steam distillates of the aerial parts of L. meyenii were continuously extracted with pentane and the pentane extracts analyzed by GC/MS. Retention indices and mass spectral data were used to identify 53 oil components. Phenyl acetonitrile (85.9%), benzaldehyde (3.1%), and 3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile (2.1%) were the major components of the steam distilled oil. The oil of L. meyenii was tested for phytotoxic, cyanobactericidal, and antitermite activity. The oil was selectively toxic towards the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria perornata compared to the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum, with complete growth inhibition at 100 microg/ml. Mortality of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, was numerically, but not significantly, higher when held on filter paper treated with maca oil. At 1% (w/w), maca oil also appeared to act as a feeding deterrent to termites. Several minor components of the essential oil of maca including 3-methoxyphenylacetonitrile and benzylthiocyanate were significantly active against the Formosan termite. This is the first report on the essential oil composition of L. meyenii. |
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6: Chem Pharm Bull ( Tokyo ). 2002 Jul;50(7):988-91.
Chemical profiling and standardization of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography.
Ganzera M, Zhao J, Muhammad I. National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mississippi, University, USA.
Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is one of the few plants that can be cultivated in the harsh climate of the Andes . Its nutritious hypocotyl is traditionally used as food and medicine, and Maca products are increasingly becoming popular in the western world as tonics. This paper describes the first analytical method allowing the determination of the main macamides and macaenes, the marker compounds of L. meyenii. A separation within 35 min was possible by using a C-12 stationary phase, an acidic mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile and water, and raising the column temperature to 40 degrees C. By monitoring the separation at 210 and 280 nm, the markers were detectable as low as 0.40 microg/ml. In order to validate the method, accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection and intra/inter day repeatability were determined. The analysis of several commercially available Maca products showed a similar qualitative pattern but significant differences in the quantitative composition. The percentage of total markers in the preparations varied from 0.15 to 0.84%, resulting in daily intakes for the consumer from 1.52 to 14.88 mg, respectively. |
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7: Andrologia. 2002 Jun;34(3):177-9.
Hexanic Maca extract improves rat sexual performance more effectively than methanolic and chloroformic Maca extracts.
Cicero AF, Piacente S, Plaza A. Biomedical Sciences Department, Pharmacology Section, University of Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy.
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| Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties in improving fertility. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of subacute oral administration of hexanic, methanolic and chloroformic extracts of Maca root on sexual performance in inexperienced male rats. The following sexual performance parameters were evaluated: 1st mount, 1st intromission, ejaculation and post-ejaculatory latencies, intercopulatory interval and copulatory efficacy. All the tested fractions significantly decreased intromission latency and intercopulatory interval and increased intromission frequency and copulatory efficacy (P < 0.05) as compared to controls. Hexanic and methanolic extracts were able to increase mount frequency (MF), while only hexanic fraction significantly improved mount latency (ML) (P=0.038). Globally, only the hexanic fraction significantly improved the majority of the sexual parameters measured. Sub-acute oral administration of hexanic Maca extract improved sexual performance parameters in sexually inexperienced male rats most effectively. |
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8: Phytochemistry. 2002 Jan;59(1):105-10.
Constituents of Lepidium meyenii 'maca'.
Muhammad I, Zhao J, Dunbar DC . National Center for Natural Products Research, Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University MS 38677, USA.
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| The tubers of Lepidium meyenii contain the benzylated derivative of 1,2-dihydro-N-hydroxypyridine, named macaridine, together with the benzylated alkamides (macamides), N-benzyl-5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienamide and N-benzylhexadecanamide, as well as the acyclic keto acid, 5-oxo-6E,8E-octadecadienoic acid. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, including 1H-1H COSY, 1H- 13C HMQC, 1H- 13C HMBC and 1H-1H NOESY experiments, as well as from 1H-15N NMR HMBC correlations for macaridine and N-benzylhexadecanamide. |
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9: J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 May;75(2-3):225-9.
Lepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activity.
Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti R. Biomedical Sciences Department, Pharmacology Section, University of Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia, Via G. Campi, 287, 41100, Modena, Italy. |
| Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties to improve energy and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute and chronic Maca pulverised root oral administration on rat sexual behaviour. Sixty male sexually experienced rats (20 group) were daily treated for 15 days with Maca 15 mg kg(-1), Maca 75 mg kg(-1) or saline 0.5 ml kg(-1). The following sexual performance parameters were evaluated at first and last day of treatment: 1st mount (ML), 1st intromission (IL), ejaculation (EL) and postejaculatory (PEL) latencies, intercopulatory interval (ICI) and copulatory efficacy (CE). An activity cage test was carried out to evaluate if Maca-induced locomotion changes could indirectly improve rat sexual performances. It was observed that both lower and higher Maca doses acutely decreased ML, IL and ICI in a significant way (P < 0.05), while only the 75 mg kg(-1) dose decreased the PEL (T = 29, P < 0.05). This effect seems to be the only one dose-dependent. After 15 days of treatment, both doses are able to significantly decrease ML, IL, EL and PEL, while the 75 mg kg(-1) dose decreased the ICI (T = 40, P < 0.05) too. IL, EL and PEL variations seem to be dose-related after chronic treatment. Moreover, chronic Maca treatment induced an apparently not dose-related increase in rat locomotion, during the second 10-min period of observation in the activity cage. The late in Maca-induced locomotion modification excludes that improvement of tested sexual performance parameters is related to an increase in rat aspecific activity. Thus, it was concluded that both acute and chronic Maca oral administration significantly improve sexual performance parameters in male rats. |
10: Arch Latinoam Nutr . 2000 Jun;50(2):126-33.
Nutritional evaluation of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) in albino mice and their descendants
Canales M, Aguilar J, Prada A. Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von Humboldt, Lima-Peru.
The Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between the 3700 and 4500 masl at the Peruvian Andes. Traditionally it is attributed nutritional, energizing, fertilizing properties among others. With the purpose of evaluate scientifically the nutritional property of Maca, we carried out a controlled study in two generations of albino Swiss mice (parents and breeding). The parents were aleatorily assigned to one of three nutritional schedules. The food of each group was prepared based on powder from a commercial balanced food (CBF) of which 30% was replaced by raw or cooked Maca according to the corresponding group or pure CBF in the control group. The groups were this way: 1) Raw Maca Group; 2) Cooked Maca Group; and, 3) Control Group. The results showed that the curves of growth were similar and adequate for the three groups. However, the cooked Maca group showed the best curve. These data were better observable in the second generation of animals, with significant statistical difference (p < 0.05). The CBF group had a better growth than raw Maca group. No signs of malnutrition nor overweight were observed in none of the groups. The serum values of total proteins and albumin were statistically superior for the mice group eating cooked Maca than that of the raw Maca and CBF groups. This study demonstrates, in a scientifical evaluation, one of the traditionally attributed properties of Maca, the nutritional capability.
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11: Urology. 2000 Apr;55(4):598-602.
Effect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats.
Zheng BL, He K, Kim CH. Pure World Botanicals, Inc., South Hackensack , New Jersey , USA .
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| OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of oral administration of a purified lipidic extract from Lepidium meyenii (MacaPure M-01 and M-02) on the number of complete intromissions and mating in normal mice, and on the latent period of erection (LPE) in rats with erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Mice and rats were randomly divided into several experimental and control groups. A 10% ethanol suspension of M-01 and M-02 was orally administered for 22 days to the experimental groups according to the dosage specified by the experimental design. On day 22, 30 minutes after the dose was administered to the male mice, 2 virgin female mice were placed with 1 male mouse. The number of complete intromissions of each male mouse in 3 hours was recorded. In an assessment of 1 day of mating, each male mouse was cohabited with 5 estrous female mice overnight. The number of sperm-positive females was recorded. The LPE was measured to assess the sexual function in rats with erectile dysfunction. By using a YSD-4G multifunction instrument, an electric pulse at 20 V was applied to stimulate the rat's penis, and the duration from the start of the stimulus to full erection was measured in seconds as the LPE. RESULTS: In the normal male mice, the number of complete intromissions during the 3-hour period was 16.33 +/- 1.78, 46.67 +/- 2.39, and 67.01 +/- 2.55 for the control group, M-01 group, and M-02 group, respectively. In the assessment of mating, the number of sperm-positive females increased from 0.6 +/- 0.7 in the control group to 1.5 +/- 0.5 in the M-01 experimental group. The LPE of male rats with erectile dysfunction was 112 +/- 13 seconds with a regular diet (control group). The oral administration of M-01 at a dose of 180 or 1800 mg/kg body weight and M-02 at a dose of 45, 180, or 1800 mg/kg body weight reduced the LPE to 54 +/- 12 seconds, 54 +/- 13 seconds, 71 +/- 12 seconds, 73 +/- 12 seconds, and 41 +/- 13 seconds, respectively. The LPE of the surgical rats treated with M-01 at the lowest dose (45 mg/kg) was 121 +/- 12 seconds; thus, the change was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of M-01 and M-02 enhanced the sexual function of the mice and rats, as evidenced by an increase in the number of complete intromissions and the number of sperm-positive females in normal mice, and a decrease in the LPE in male rats with erectile dysfunction. The present study reveals for the first time an aphrodisiac activity of L. meyenii, an Andean Mountain herb. |
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12: Phytother Res. 2004 Jun;18(6):471-4.
Lepidium peruvianum chacon restores homeostasis impaired by restraint stress.
Lopez-Fando A, Gomez-Serranillos MP, Iglesias I. Dpto Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain.
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| Lepidium peruvianum root has been traditionally utilized by native Peruvians, since before the time of the Incas, for both nutritional and putative medicinal purposes as an adaptogen and also to enhance fertility in humans and animals. The present research was conducted to evaluate the anti-stress activity of the methanolic extract of Lepidium peruvianum. The drug is capable of attenuating or even eliminating variations in homeostasis produced by stress since it reduces or abolishes stress-induced ulcers, elevated corticosterone levels, the reduction of glucose and the increase in the weight of adrenal glands produced by stress. It also eliminates the decrease in free fatty-acids (FFA) in plasma produced by stress and we obtain a positive result in the forced-swimming test. Thus, it did not appear to affect restraint stress-induced immunosuppression. |
13: Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.
Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Valentova K, Ulrichova J. Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, Olomouc, 775 15, Czech Republic.
Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) and Lepidium meyenii (maca) were the traditional crops of the original population of Peru where they are also still used in folk medicine. These plants are little known in Europe and Northern America although at least yacon can be cultivated in the climatic conditions of these regions. This article deals with the botany and the composition, the structure of main constituents, biological activity of these plants and the cultivation of yacon in the Czech Republic. The potential of yacon tubers to treat hyperglycemia, kidney problems and for skin rejuvenation and the antihyperglycemic and cytoprotective activity of its leaves seems to be related mostly to its oligofructan and phenolic content, respectively. Maca alkaloids, steroids, glucosinolates, isothicyanates and macamides are probably responsible for its aptitude to act as a fertility enhancer, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, immunostimulant, anabolic and to influence hormonal balance. Yacon and maca are already on the European market as prospective functional foods and dietary supplements, mainly for use in certain risk groups of the population, e.g. seniors, diabetics, postmenopausal women etc.
14: Reprod Biol Endocrinol. 2005 Jan 20;3(1):5
Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats.
Gonzales GF, Miranda S, Nieto J.
BACKGROUND: Epidemiological studies have found that consumption of cruciferous vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. This effect seems to be due to aromatic glucosinolate content. Glucosinolates are known for have both antiproliferative and proapoptotic actions. Maca is a cruciferous cultivated in the highlands of Peru. The absolute content of glucosinolates in Maca hypocotyls is relatively higher than that reported in other cruciferous crops. Therefore, Maca may have proapoptotic and anti-proliferative effects in the prostate. METHODS: Male rats treated with or without aqueous extracts of three ecotypes of Maca (Yellow, Black and Red) were analyzed to determine the effect on ventral prostate weight, epithelial height and duct luminal area. Effects on serum testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) levels were also assessed. Besides, the effect of Red Maca on prostate was analyzed in rats treated with testosterone enanthate (TE). RESULTS: Red Maca but neither Yellow nor Black Maca reduced significantly ventral prostate size in rats. Serum T or E2 levels were not affected by any of the ecotypes of Maca assessed. Red Maca also prevented the prostate weight increase induced by TE treatment. Red Maca administered for 42 days reduced ventral prostatic epithelial height. TE increased ventral prostatic epithelial height and duct luminal area. These increases by TE were reduced after treatment with Red Maca for 42 days. Histology pictures in rats treated with Red Maca plus TE were similar to controls. Phytochemical screening showed that aqueous extract of Red Maca has alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, and cardiotonic glycosides. The IR spectra of the three ecotypes of Maca in 3800-650 cm (-1) region had 7 peaks representing 7 functional chemical groups. Highest peak values were observed for Red Maca, intermediate values for Yellow Maca and low values for Black Maca. These functional groups correspond among others to benzyl glucosinolate. CONCLUSIONS: Red Maca, a cruciferous plant from the highland of Peru, reduced ventral prostate size in normal and TE treated rats.
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15: Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72.
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men.
Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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This study was a 12-week double blind placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Maca Gelatinizada was compared with placebo. The study aimed to demonstrate if effect of Maca on subjective report of sexual desire was because of effect on mood or serum testosterone levels. Men aged 21-56 years received Maca in one of two doses: 1,500 mg or 3,000 mg or placebo. Self-perception on sexual desire, score for Hamilton test for depression, and Hamilton test for anxiety were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. An improvement in sexual desire was observed with Maca since 8 weeks of treatment. Serum testosterone and oestradiol levels were not different in men treated with Maca and in those treated with placebo (P:NS). Logistic regression analysis showed that Maca has an independent effect on sexual desire at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and this effect is not because of changes in either Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety or serum testosterone and oestradiol levels. In conclusion, treatment with Maca improved sexual desire.
Publication Types:
• Clinical Trial
• Randomized Controlled Trial |
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16: Asian J Androl. 2001 Dec;3(4):301-3.
Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men.
Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Gonzales C. Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
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AIM: The present study was designed to determine the effect of a 4-month oral treatment with tablets of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on seminal analysis in nine adult normal men aged 24-44 years old. METHODS: Nine men received tablets of Maca (1500 or 3000 mg/day) for 4 months. Seminal analysis was performed according to guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with Maca resulted in increased seminal volume, sperm count per ejaculum, motile sperm count, and sperm motility. Serum hormone levels were not modified with Maca treatment. Increase of sperm count was not related to dose of Maca. CONCLUSION: Maca improved sperm production and sperm motility by mechanisms not related to LH, FSH, PRL, T and E2. |
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Treatment of sexual dysfunction with an extract of Lepidium meyenii roots
Zheng , et al.
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| An isolated composition obtained by extracting Lepidium meyenii roots is provided. The composition is substantially free of cellulose and comprises between about 5% and about 9% of benzyl isothiocyanate, between about 1% and about 3% of Lepidium sterol component, between about 20% and about 30% of Lepidium fatty acid component, and about 10% or more of macamide component. The composition is prepared by a process which comprises contacting Lepidium meyenii roots with a first aqueous solvent of about 90% vol-% or more water, then separating the residual Lepidium meyenii root material from the first contacted aqueous solvent, then contacting the residual Lepidium meyenii root material with a second aqueous solvent which comprises a mixture of an alcohol and water having about 90 vol-% alcohol or more to form a liquor, and then finally concentrating the liquor to obtain the composition. The composition can be used for treating cancer and sexual dysfunction. |
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Maca and antler for augmenting testosterone levels
DeLuca , et al.
Testosterone levels in men are increased by the oral administration of powdered maca and antler.
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