Lepidium meyenii(Maca): A Plant from the Highlands of Peru – from Tradition to Science

Abstract

This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on Lepidium meyenii (maca), a cruciferous plant (Brassicaceae family) which is cultivated exclusively at an altitude of 4,000–4,500 m in the Peruvian Central Andes. Maca is traditionally used for its nutritional and presumed medici-nal properties. Over the past 20 years, interest in maca has increased in many parts of the world, and since 2005 maca is considered one of the seven Peruvian flag products. Maca is exported as powder, capsules, pills, flour, liquor, and extracts. There are different types of maca with differ-ent colors ranging from white to black. We have studied the pharmacological effects of 3 types; yellow, black, and red maca. Evidence from experimental studies indicates effects of maca on nutrition, fertility, memory, and mood. Black maca has better effects on sperm production than yellow maca which has only moderate effects. Red maca, however, has no effect on sperm production. However, red maca has been shown to reduce prostate size in rats in which prostate hyperplasia had been induced with testosterone enanthate; yellow maca has shown moderate effects here, whereas black maca has not shown any effects. Randomized clinical trials have shown that maca has favorable effects on energy and mood, may decrease anxiety and improve sexual desire. Maca has also been shown to improve sperm production, sperm motility, and semen volume. Serum levels of testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, and prolactin were not affected. The exact mechanisms of action are still unclear, but so far research clearly indicates that various bioactive constituents contribute to the clini-cal effects reported.

Effects of Different Varieties of Maca <i>(Lepidium meyenii)</i> on Bone Structure in Ovariectomized Rats

“…For instance, FSH has been demonstrated to have effects on male and female fertility. A similar effect is observed with maca [25]. Moreover, a recent study has shown that FSH stimulates TNF production from immune cells to enhance osteoblast and osteoclast formation [26].…”

Maca (Lepidium meyenii WALP), una revisión sobre sus propiedades biológicas

“…La maca (Lepidium meyenii) pertenece a la familia Brassicaceae y crece en los Andes centrales del Perú por encima de los 4000 metros de altitud donde se cultiva desde hace más de 2000 años (1) . Sus primeras descripciones aparecen en las crónicas de la conquista del Perú (2)(3) .…”

Editorial

“…Así, es sumamente conocida como elemento alimenticio y de la medicina tradicional peruana. Se le ha asignado resultados beneficiosos en la fertilidad (1) , disfunción sexual (2,3) , disfunción eréctil (4) , reducción del tamaño de la próstata (5) , bienestar, memoria (6) , entre otros, aunque la evidencia es limitada (7) . En el trabajo de nuestros investigadores, la administración de harina de maca amarilla a animales diabéticos mejoró el metabolismo de la glucosa al regular la glicemia y elevar los niveles de insulina.…”