Maca
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Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Goñez C, Castillo S. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. Andrologia 2002 Dec; 34(6): 367-72
This study was a 12-week double blind placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Gelatinized Maca was compared with placebo. The study aimed to demonstrate if effect of Maca on subjective report of sexual desire was because of effect on mood or serum testosterone levels.
Men aged 21-56 years received Maca in one of two doses: 1,500 mg or 3,000 mg or placebo. Self-perception on sexual desire, score for Hamilton test for depression, and Hamilton test for anxiety were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. An improvement in sexual desire was observed with Maca since 8 weeks of treatment. Serum testosterone and estradiol levels were not different in men treated with Maca and in those treated with placebo (P=NS).
Logistic regression analysis showed that Maca has an independent effect on sexual desire at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and this effect is not because of changes in either Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety or serum testosterone and estradiol levels. In conclusion, treatment with Maca improved sexual desire.
PMID: 12472620 [PubMed - in process]
Effect of a Lipidic Extract from Lepidium meyenii on Sexual Behaviour in Mice and Rats. Zheng BL, He K, Hyungchan C, et al. Urology 2000; 55:598-602
This clinical study evaluates the effect of a purified lipidic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) in the sexual behaviour of mice and rats. Oral administration of Maca extract enhanced the sexual function of the mice and rats, as evidenced by an increase in the number of complete intromissions and the number of sperm-positive females in normal mice, and a decrease in the LP E in male rats with erectile dysfunction. The present study reveals for the first time an aphrodisiac activity of L. meyenii, an Andean mountain herb.
PMID: 10736519 [PubMed - indexed/or MEDLINE]
Lepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activity. Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti R. Biomedical Sciences Department, Pharmacology Section, University of Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia, Via G. Campi, 287, 41100, Modena, Italy. Journal of Ethnopharmacol 2001 May; 75 (2-3): 225-9
Lepidium meyenii Walpers (Maca) is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed properties to improve energy and fertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acute and chronic Maca pulverized root oral administration on rat sexual behaviour.
Sixty male sexually experienced rats (20 group) were daily treated for 15 days with Maca 15 mg kg(-I), Maca 75 mg kg(-I) or saline 0.5 ml kg(-I). An activity cage test was carried out to evaluate if Maca-induced locomotion changes could indirectly improve rat sexual performances. It was concluded that both acute and chronic Maca oral administration significantly improve sexual performance parameters in male rats.
PMID: 11297856 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men. Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K, Chung A, Villena A, Goñez C. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, PO 1843, Lima, Peru. Journal of Endocrinology 2003 Jan; 176 (1): 163-8
This study was a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Gelatinized Maca was compared with a placebo. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that Maca has no effect on serum reproductive hormone levels in apparently healthy men when administered in doses used for aphrodisiac and/or fertility-enhancing properties. Men aged between 21 and 56 Years received 1,500 mg or 3,000 mg Maca. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle - stimulating hormone, prolactin, 17 -alpha hydroxy progesterone, testosterone and 17 -beta estradiol were measured before and at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment with placebo or Maca.
Data showed that compared with placebo Maca had no effect on any of the hormones studied nor did the hormones show any changes over time. Multiple regression analysis showed that serum testosterone levels were not affected by treatment with Maca at any of the times studied (P=NS). In conclusion, treatment with Maca does not affect serum reproductive hormone levels.
PMID: 12525260 [PubMed - in process]
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