Trial Studies
Chinese Maca Lab Study and Report
(© 2000, Elsevier Science Inc., Published with permission
from the Journal of Urology, volume #55, 2000)
Effects of a Lipidic Extract from Lepidium Meyenii on sexual
behavior in Mice and Rats.
This study reveals for the first time an aphrodisiac activity
of L. Meyenii, an Andean mountain herb.
ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of oral
administration of a purified lipidic extract from lepidium
meyenii/peruvianum (M-01 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 asses 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 to 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
increasede from 0.6 ± 0.7 in the control group to 1.5
± 0.5 in the M-01 experimental group. 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, 1800 mg/kg body weight reduced the LPE
to 54 ± 12 seconds, 54 ± 13 seconds, 71 ±
12 seconds, 73 ± 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 decrease
in the LPE in male rats with erectile dysfunction.
This study was conducted by:
Bo Lin Zheng, Kan he, Calvin Hyungchan Kim, Lingling Rogers,
Yu Shao, Zhen yen Huang, Yang lu, Sui jun Yan, Lu cheng Qien,
and Qun yi Zheng at the Shenyang Medical College & Liaoning
College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shenyang China,
and also at the Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, Beijing,
People´s Republic of China.
References: 1. Leon T: The ´Maca´
(Lepidium meyenii): a Little known food plant of Peru. Econ
Bot 18: 122-127, 1964. 2. Chacón RC: Estudio fitoquímico
de Lepidium meyenii Walp. Thesis, University Nac. Mayor de
San Marcos, Lima, Peru, 1961. 3. Zheng BL, Kim CH, He K, et
al: A process for the isolation and purification of Lepidium
meyenii. Patent pending, 1999. 4. National Clinical Test Procedure,
FDA of China, 1998. 5. Hermann M, and Heller J: Andean Roots
and Tubers: Ahipa, Arracacha, Maca and Yacom Rome, IPGRI,
1997, pp 175-195. 6. Cobo B: Historia del Nuevo Mundo. Biblioteca
de Autores Españoles 81: 430, 1956. 7. Ruiz H: Relación
histórica del viaje a los reinos del Peru y Chile,
1777-1778, Madrid Acad. De Ciene Exaetas: Fis y Nat 1: 526,
1952. 8. Pulgar VJ: Las Maca Lepidium sp. Poderoso fecundante
vegetal. La voz de Huancayo 24:10, 1964. 9. John T: The anu
and the maca. J Ethnobiol 1: 208-212,1981.
Peruvian Maca Lab Study and Report:
Source: Dr. Gloria Chacon de Popivici, Lima- Peru)
Effects of Maca on the Endocrine Glands.
Dr. Gloria Chacon isolated four alkaloids from the maca root
and carried out animal studies with male and female rats given
either powdered maca root or alkaloids isolated from the roots.
In comparison with the animal control groups, those receiving
either root powder or alkaloids showed multiple egg follicle
maturation in females and, in males, significantly higher
sperm production and motility rates than control groups. Dr.
Chacon established that it was the alkaloids in the maca root,
not its plant hormones, that produced fertility effects on
the ovaries and testes of the rats. "These effects are
measurable within 72 hours of dosing the animals," she
offered in a recent telephone interview from Lima, Peru.
Through the experiments, she deduced that the alkaloids were
acting on the hypothalamus-pituitary gland, which explains
why both male and female rats were afflicted in a gender-appropriate
manner. This also explains why the effects in humans are not
limited to ovaries and testes, but also act on the adrenals,
giving a feeling of greater energy and vitality, and on the
pancreas and thyroid as well.
Implications of Dr. Chacon's discovery of the pituitary stimulating
effects of maca are enormous. What it appears to mean is that
hormone replacement therapy, even the natural varieties, will
no longer be the gold standard for optimising a holistic point
of view.
EFFECT OF LEPIDIUM MEYENII OR LEPIDIUM PERUVIANUM (MACA)
ADMINISTERED IN FORM OF TABLETS OF GELATINIZED MACA TO GROWN
UP MALE, APPARENTLY TO NORMAL.
This trial has been prepared to prove the effect of Lepidium
meyenii (Maca) over the hormonal pattern, sexual behavior
and erectile function; physical well-being and reaction to
stress; red corpuscles and nutritional state.
The trial took a sample of male between 20 and 40 years old.
The men were placed in placebo and Maca groups according to
the treatment received. The trial was prospective and double
blind.
The trial was carried out between December 2000 and may 2001
by researchers of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peruvian
University Cayetano Heredia), department of sciences and Philosophy
and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura (Institute of
highlands Researches). The principal researcher was Dr. Gustavo
Gonzales, the associate researchers were Amanda Cordova, Arturo
Chung, Arturo Villena, Carmen Gonez, Karla Vega, Julio Rubio,
Manuel Gasco, Carla Gonzales, Sharon Castillo and Diana Garayar.
Some conclusions risen from the trial are:
HEMODYNAMIC ASPECTS
- The treament with gelatinized maca produces a reducing
effect of diastolic arterial pressure.
- Gelatinized maca does not modify neither heart frequency
nor arterial saturation of oxygen.
- During the trial hematocrit is not affected by maca, which
an anti-anemic effect may exist.
NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS
- Gelatinized maca has an important effect as energizer.
- Energizer effect may be associated to the increase of
serum levels of growth hormone.
- Maca has effects over energy reserves acting over body
fat.
- Maca does not increase iodine in urine.
STATE OF MIND
- Gelatinized maca improves men state of mind.
- DHEA levels increase in a big proportion of male treated
with maca.
ANXIETY
- Placebo decreases anxiety.
- Gelatinized maca decreases anxiety from the two weeks
of treatment.
STRESS
- The treatment with gelatinized maca decreases stress.
- The treatment with gelatinized maca reduces the scale
of mind renounce, favoring a better response to stress.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION
- Gelatinized maca improves the level of sexual desire.
- Maca treatment does not modify HL levels.
- Maca increases seminal volume, count of mobile spermatozoids
and mobility of spermatozoids.
In conclusion, Maca Gelatinized La Molina
- Improves the state of mind
- Decreases anxiety
- Decreases stress
- Improves reaction to stress
- Increases adrenal androgens
- Increases sexual desire
- Increases number and mobility of spermatozoids
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