Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) on spatial memory and brain oxidative damage of ovariectomized-rats exposed to mobile phone

Abstract

Background: Oxidative stress, genetic expression changes, and decomposition of the blood-brain barrier have been shown to be caused by exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR); therefore, the search for drugs or food products that offer some protection from these effects has attracted interest. Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a native Andean plant known for its effects on the female reproductive system as well as its immunomodulating, energizing, antioxidant, and nutritive properties due to its high concentration of alkaloids, amino acids, glucosinolates, fatty acids, and macamides. Objectives: We aim to determine the effect of dietary maca supplementation on spatial memory and cerebral oxidative damage in rats with induced menopause and/or with exposure to mobile phone radiation. Method: Female rats divided into 6 groups (six rats in each group): control or not ovariectomized (O-), ovariectomized (O+), ovariectomized + estrogen (O+E+), ovariectomized + estrogen + irradiated (O+E+I+), ovariectomized + maca (O+M+), and ovariectomized + maca + irradiated (O+M+I). Rat spatial memory was tested using the Morris water navigation task. Rats were sacrificed, and cerebral malondialdehyde was measured. Results: After exposure to mobile phone radiation, the group supplemented with maca showed improved spatial memory and lower levels of malondialdehyde than the estrogenized group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that consumption of maca has a positive effect on the maintenance of memory and decreases oxidative stress caused by mobile phone radiation. However, it is necessary to extend this work using a larger sample size.

Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca

“…Anti-fatigue effect of macamide N-benzyl-(9Z,12Z)-octadecadienamide in the hippocampus was evaluated, observing a decrease in iNOS and ROS levels, associated with an increase in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio and dopamine levels ( Zhu et al, 2022b ). Oral administration of maca extracts, maca powder and some isolated macamides has been shown to decrease levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) in hippocampus ( Yu et al, 2020a ; Yu et al, 2021 ), brain MDA ( Olofinnade et al, 2021 ; Marín-Tello et al, 2021 ; Zhou et al, 2022 and AChE activity ( Olofinnade et al, 2021 ); and increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) ( Yu et al, 2020a ; Yu et al, 2021 ), serotonin receptors and hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in hippocampus ( Yu et al, 2021 ), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) ( Zhou et al, 2022 ), and neuronal density in hippocampal regions CA1 and CA3 ( Yu et al, 2021 ). Recent data also suggest that the regulation of the gut–brain axis by maca may be one element of its therapeutic mechanisms ( Hong et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In vivo neuroprotective activity has been evaluated in different models of neurotoxicity: corticosterone ( Yu et al, 2020a ; Yu et al, 2021 ), diet rich in fats and sugars (HFHS) ( Olofinnade et al, 2021 ), oophorectomy and/or radiofrequency radiation (RFR) ( Marín-Tello et al, 2021 ), D-galactose ( Zhou et al, 2022 ) and ischemic brain damage ( Castro, 2022 ; Yang et al, 2022 ). Maca was used in the form of extracts ( Yu et al, 2020a ; Marín-Tello et al, 2021 ; Yu et al, 2021 ) and powder ( Olofinnade et al, 2021 ) as well as in the form some isolated compounds, including macamides ( Yu et al, 2021 ; Castro, 2022 ; Yang et al, 2022 ) and polysaccharide MP ( Zhou et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Additionally, effects on the expression of cognitive and behavioral functions are reported, where oral administration of ethanolic extract and benzyloctadecathenamide reversed depressive behavior ( Yu et al, 2020a ; Yu et al, 2021 ), maca powder reversed memory impairment and anxious behaviors ( Olofinnade et al, 2021 ), and lyophilized extract improved spatial memory ( Marín-Tello et al, 2021 ). Likewise, parenteral administration of benzyloctadecanamide exhibited an improvement in post-ischemic damage neurobehavioral performance through recovery of somatosensory function ( Yang et al, 2022 ) and decrease of sensory deficit ( Castro, 2022 ).…”

Different Diets of Maca Roots (Lepidium meyenii) Affect Several Physiological Blood Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Under Oxidative Stress

“…that cause harm to and ultimately destroy cells, Antioxidants have the ability to interact with free radicals, so limiting their destructive potential and preventing the biological oxidation of cells, which would otherwise break the chain of free radicals [20,21].Because it is effective as an antibiotic against a wide variety of illnesses, most notably cancer [22], the maca plant is among the most significant of all plants that contain natural chemicals.The reduction in MDA concentration shown in treatments with maca root as compared to the second treatment may be attributable to the antioxidant properties of maca, which are inherent to the plant. As it works to prevent the oxidation of lipids in cell membranes and curb free radicals by cutting the chains of processes, and thus will inhibit the development of lipid peroxidation, the concentration of triglycerides and malondehyde (MDA) will drop in serum [23]. As it works to prevent the oxidation of lipids in cell membranes and curb free radicals by cutting the chains of reactions, it will also inhibit the formation of lipid peroxidation0…”