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

Abstract

Maca has been used as a foodstuff and a traditional medicine in the Andean region for over 2,000 years. Recently the neuroprotective effects of maca also arouse interest of researchers. Decrease in mitochondrial function and decline in autophagy signaling may participate in the process of age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to investigate if maca could improve cognitive function of middle-aged mice and if this effect was associated with improvement of mitochondrial activity and modulation of autophagy signaling in mouse cortex. Fourteen-month-old male ICR mice received maca powder administered by gavage for five weeks. Maca improved cognitive function, motor coordination, and endurance capacity in middle-aged mice, accompanied by increased mitochondrial respiratory function and upregulation of autophagy-related proteins in cortex. Our findings suggest that maca is a newly defined nutritional plant which can improve mitochondrial function and upregulate autophagy-related proteins and may be an effective functional food for slowing down age-related cognitive decline.

Cyclophosphamide-induced male subfertility in mice: An assessment of the potential benefits of Maca supplement

“…In the group where cyclophosphamide with Maca at 1,000 mg/kg was administered (Figures 3d and 4d), there was marked swelling of the ducts with loss of epithelial integrity and cells; cellular/sperm debris within the lumen was however decreased. Weight loss is a common side-effect of cyclophos- CYP-treated mice; this is in contrast to the results of a number of studies that have reported that Maca administration did not have significant effects on body weight (Bilal et al, 2016;Chung, Rubio, Gonzales, Gasco, & Gonzales, 2005;Guo et al, 2016;Ruiz-Luna et al, 2005), or that it lowered body mass index (Gonzales, 2012). At 1,000 mg/kg (Figures 3f and 4f), minimal swelling of the epididymal ducts, with increase in sperm concentration within the lumen of the epididymis was observed.…”

“…Mechanisms responsible for this would include a direct effect upon energy metabolism, and more recently, there are suggestions of the antiproliferative effects of cyclophosphamide on adipocyte progenitors (Myers et al, 2017). However, administration of CYP-treated mice; this is in contrast to the results of a number of studies that have reported that Maca administration did not have significant effects on body weight (Bilal et al, 2016;Chung, Rubio, Gonzales, Gasco, & Gonzales, 2005;Guo et al, 2016;Ruiz-Luna et al, 2005), or that it lowered body mass index (Gonzales, 2012). In the present study, administration of Maca by gavage increased weight gain in mice where Maca alone was administered and mitigated weight loss following CYP administration.…”

Protective effects of macamides fromLepidium meyeniiWalp. against corticosterone-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells

“…is a cruciferous plant that has been used as a functional food for centuries because of its high nutritional value and health benets. [13][14][15] Maca and its extracts exert various physiological activities such as anti-oxidative, 16 anti-fatigue, 17 and anti-osteoporotic effects, 18 promote spermatogenesis, 19 treat menopausal symptoms, 20 and especially improve depression symptoms, [21][22][23] improve cognitive function, 24 and prevent memory impairment. [25][26][27] Maca lipophilic extract containing macamides has shown neuroprotective effects against middle cerebral artery occlusion in vivo and H 2 O 2 injury in vitro.…”

Integrated Proteomics and Lipidomics Investigation of the Mechanism Underlying the Neuroprotective Effect of N-benzylhexadecanamide

“…Macamides are representative lipophilic constituents of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), with various promising pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, and fertility improving effects [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In previous reports, they were demonstrated to act on CB1 receptor for their neuroprotective activity against Mn-induced mitochondrial depolarization and toxicity in U-87 cells [ 5 ].…”