Antidepressant-Like Behavioral, Anatomical, and Biochemical Effects of Petroleum Ether Extract from Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Mice Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress

Abstract

Maca has been consumed as a medical food in Peru for thousands of years, and exerts anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Our present study aimed to evaluate the behavior and anatomical and biochemical effects of petroleum ether extract from maca (ME) in the chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model of depression in mice. Three different doses of maca extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) were orally administrated in the six-week CUMS procedure. Fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) was used as a positive control drug. Maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) significantly decreased the duration of immobility time in the tail suspension test. After treatment with maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg), the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus appeared thicker. Maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) also induced a significant reduction in corticosterone levels in mouse serum. In mouse brain tissue, after six weeks of treatment, noradrenaline and dopamine levels were increased by maca extract, and the activity of reactive oxygen species was significantly inhibited. Serotonin levels were not significantly altered. These results demonstrated that maca extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed antidepressant-like effects and was related to the activation of both noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems, as well as attenuation of oxidative stress in mouse brain.

Evaluation of sub-chronic toxic effects of petroleum ether, a laboratory solvent in Sprague-Dawley rats

“…The mice treated with Maca ( Lepidium meyenii ) showed increase in noradrenaline and dopamine level in the mouse brain tissue and this may be because of either disease model or solvent which used for extraction of Maca or direct of phytoconstituents of Maca. [ 33 ]…”

Preservation of Cognitive Function by Lepidium meyenii (Maca) Is Associated with Improvement of Mitochondrial Activity and Upregulation of Autophagy‐Related Proteins in Middle‐Aged Mouse Cortex

“…Recently maca has been developed as dietary supplement for its potential advantageous effects on physical and sexual activity [ 2 – 4 ]. Multiple biological functions of maca have been demonstrated by human and animal studies, including enhancing sexual drive and fertility in men and women [ 2 , 3 ], increasing vigor and energy levels [ 5 ], and reducing depression [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Antioxidants in Maca (Lepidium meyenii) as a Supplement in Nutrition

“…When used in rats and mice at various doses of maca or its antioxidant compounds, some effects are occurred against the stress factors. In particular, GPx, SOD and glutathione (GSH) levels in serum, liver and brain increase, MDA and ROS (reactive oxygen species) decrease [45,46]. Choi et al [32] determined that the lipid soluble extract of maca contained 7.8 mg/g DM of macamide and macaene while maca powder contained at the level of 0.3-0.4 mg/g DM.…”