Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) did not affect cell viability despite increased androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen gene expression in the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP

Abstract

We examined whether aqueous extract of Lepidium meyenii (red Maca) could inhibit growth, potentiate apoptotic activity of two anticancer drugs Taxol and 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) or change mRNA expression for the androgen target genes, androgen receptor (Ar) and prostate-specific antigen (Psa) in the human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP. Red Maca aqueous extract at 0, 10, 20, 40 or 80 μg/ml was added to LNCaP cells, and viability was evaluated by the MTS assay at 24 or 48 hr after treatment. Furthermore, LNCaP cells were treated with 80 μg/ml of red Maca plus Taxol or 2ME 5 μM and viability was assessed 48 hr later. Finally, LNCaP cells were treated with red Maca 0, 20, 40 or 80 μg/ml, and 12 hr later, mRNA level for Ar or Psa was assessed by real-time PCR. Treatment with red Maca did not affect viability of LNCaP cells. Apoptotic activity induced by Taxol and 2ME in LNCaP cells was not altered with red Maca treatment. Relative expression of the mRNA for Ar and Psa increased with red Maca 20 and 40 μg/ml, but not at 80 μg/ml. We conclude that red Maca aqueous extract does not have toxic effects, but stimulates androgen signalling in LNCaP cells.

Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?

“…Furthermore, methanol, ethanol, hexane and chloroform extracts of maca were unable to regulate glucocorticoid response element activation in vitro (Bogani et al, 2006). Red maca extract did not affect the viability of human prostate cancer cell line LNCaP (Diaz et al, 2016).…”

“…Benign prostatic hyperplasia entails the enlargement of the stromal and epilthelial cells in the prostate and an increase in 5-alpha reductase enzyme activity (Diaz et al, 2016). There is some evidence demonstrating the prostrate-reducing effect of red maca in rodents treated with testosterone enanthate (TE) to induce prostatic hyperplasia (Gonzales et al, 2005, Noratto et al, 2013, Gasco et al, 2007b, Gonzales et al, 2007.…”

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

“…The researchers identified that the n-butanol but not the aqueous fraction reduced prostate weights, similar to finasteride, with the mechanism related to upregulating the specific expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-beta while not changing the ER-alpha or androgen receptor (AR) [186]. Similarly, another study found AR stimulation with aqueous extracts of red maca in a prostate cancer cell line [189]. This specificity is relevant, considering that ER-alpha and ARs tend to be pro-inflammatory and enhance cellular growth and proliferation.…”

Antidepressant-Like Behavioral and Spatial Memory Effects in Peruvian Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii)-Treated Rats

“…Studies have shown that it is the most effective form for men, especially for muscle gain, endurance, brain focus, and libido. 7 It has been reported that Red Maca reduces rat benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by testosterone likely by stimulating androgen signally pathways 16 and/or inhibiting TNF-α 17 By looking other potential pharmacological properties, the aim of the present work was to study the effects of aqueous extract from Red Maca (AQ-RM) as antidepressant in a depression model in male rats and as enhancer of learning and memory in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. la Universidad Nacional de Trujillo".…”