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Lepidium meyenii Walp.

Scientific name: Lepidium meyenii Walp. Synonyms: Lepidium peruvianum, L weddellii, L. affine, L. gelidum Family: Brassicaceae Genus: Lepidium Species: meyenii Part Used: Root Common name: Maca, Peruvian ginseng, maka, mace, maca-maca, maino, ayak chichira, ayuk willku, pepperweed. Plant Description The plant consists of a short, cylindrical stem which grows to a height of 10 cm and a diameter of 10 cm, with numerous buds on the upper part. Each of these has leaves with long petioles divided into three to seven very jagged follicles. The leaves are green or bronze-colored depending on the variety. Two kinds of roots emerge from the stem: long and fine ones or tuberous and fusiform ones. The inflorescences are composite umbels, bearing many small, deep purple flowers, a calyx and a corolla of five minute parts. The fruit is bicarpellar with an inferior ovary. Chemical Constituents: In addition to carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fibres and fats; maca contains uridine, malic acid and its benzoyl derivative, and the glucosinolates, glucotropaeolin and m-methoxyglucotropaeolin. It is rich in essential minerals, especially selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and includes fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, 19 amino acids, polysaccharides, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phosphorus, potassium, isothiocyanates, glucosinolates,p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate. Glucosinolates such as glucoalyssin (0.6-0.9% total glucosinolates), glucosinalbin (0.02-0.028% total glucosinolates), glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin, glucoaubrietin (aka. glucolimnathin; 6-6.2% total glucosinolates), 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, glucotropaeolin (80-90% total glucosinolatesand Benzyl glucosinolate (7.01-17.5mg/100g dry weight of Red Maca) with aromatic glucosinolates consisting of up to 99% of total glucosinolates by weight, 7 alkamides, Methyltetrahydro-β-Carboline molecules and β-Sitosterol. Action of Herb: Adaptogen, aphrodisiac, nutritive, tonic, antifatigue, immunostimulant, anticarcinogenic, fertility enhancer, increases sperm count/motility. Medicinal Uses: Lepidium meyenii has energizing effects and fertility enhancement property. Other traditional uses include increasing energy, stamina and endurance in athletes, promoting mental clarity, treating male impotence, and helping with menstrual irregularities and female hormonal imbalances including menopause and chronic fatigue syndrome. It prevents initiation of carcinogenesis. Maca is used as an immune-stimulant and in the treatment of anaemia,

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tuberculosis, menstrual disorders, menopause symptoms, stomach cancer, sterility and other reproductive and sexual disorders as well as to enhance memory. Maca is used for “tired blood” (anemia); chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); and enhancing energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory, and fertility. Women use Maca for female hormone imbalance, menstrual problems, and symptoms of menopause. Maca is also used for weak bones (osteoporosis), depression, stomach cancer, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), to arouse sexual desire, and to boost the immune system.

Isolated chemical constituents of Lepidium meyenii Walp.

β-Sitosterol Methyltetrahydro-β-Carboline

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Side effects& toxicity: Large amounts may cause intestinal gas. Its long-time use as a food product suggests low potential for toxicity. Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation and hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids. Patients with thyroid conditions should avoid maca because glucosinolates taken in excess and combined with a low-iodine diet can cause goiter. Dosage: Maca is available commercially in several dosage forms including powder, liquid, tablets, and capsules. Most commercial Web sites recommend a daily dose of 1 dried maca extract 450 mg capsule 3 times daily taken orally with food. Maca is likely safe when consumed by healthy adults in doses of 1,500-3,000 milligrams per day for up to four months as an aphrodisiac or to improve spermatogenesis, however, there is no proven effective dose for maca. Traditionally, up to 6,000 milligrams or more per day in divided doses has been used. Root powder containing 2,800 milligrams of Maca root placed in 8 ounces of water has also been used up to three times daily. Commercially prepared concentrated extracts containing 450 milligrams taken twice daily has been used as well. Common dietary consumption in native populations is greater than 100 grams, or equivalent to greater than 1.4g per kilogram, daily. Drug Interactions Interactions with Drugs Plants in Brassicaceae family, such as Maca, are often rich in vitamin K. Maca may lower PT/INR values and decrease the effect of aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®). Maca may act as a stimulant and cause hypertension (high blood pressure). Patients’ taking medication for high blood pressure, or those taking other stimulant medications, should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before combining therapies. Maca may alter the levels of sex hormones, and may interfere with the effects of hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills. Caution is advised. Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements Plants in the Brassicaceae family, such as Maca, are often rich in vitamin K. Maca may lower PT/INR values and decrease the effect of herbs and supplements that are believed to have anticoagulant effects, such as Ginkgo biloba, garlic, or saw palmetto. Maca may act as a stimulant and cause hypertension (high blood pressure). Patients taking herbs or supplements for high blood pressure, or those taking other stimulants, should consult with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, before combining therapies. Maca may alter the levels of sex hormones, and may interfere with the effects of herbs or supplements with hormone effects, such as St. John's wart or Chasteberry. The FT-IR spectra of alkaloidal extract of L. meyenii root powder Jin et al. (2007) carried out the FT-IR spectroscopy of alkaloidal extract of L. meyenii root powder. See figure below.

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Figure: FT-IR spectra of L. meyenii

Thin-layer chromatography of L. meyenii extracts Jin et al. (2007) carried out thin-layer chromatography of L. meyenii extract. The tlc chromatogram of two different alkaloidal extract samples were obtained by spraying with Dragendorff’s reagent to visualize the various components of (A) powdered L. meyenii root and (B) commercial powder of L. meyenii root.

Figure: Thin-layer chromatogram of L. meyenii alkaloidal extracts Gas chromatography of L. meyenii essential oils Jin et al. (2007) carried out gas chromatography of L. meyenii essential oils. The GC chromatogram of the two L. meyenii drugs essential oil is shown below. (A) powdered L. meyenii root (B) Commercial L. meyenii powder.

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Figure: GC chromatogram of powdered L. meyenii root

Figure: GC chromatogram of commercial L. meyenii powder Anti-depressant activity of L. meyenii Rubio et al. (2006) assessed the anti-depressant activity of three ecotypes of maca using the forced swimming test. Mice that were fed each of three ecotypes for 21 days exhibited reduced times of immobility in the force swimming tests compared to controls. Antioxidant activity of L. meyenii Sandoval et al. (2002) evaluated that aqueous extracts of L. meyenii have the capacity to scavenge free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress. Anti-stress effects of L. meyenii López-Fando et al. (2004) measured the methanolic extract of L. meyenii administered to rats reduced or abolished several markers associated with stress: stress-induced ulcers, elevated corticosterone levels, the reduction of glucose, and the increase in the weight of adrenal glands. Energizing properties of L. meyenii Zheng et al. (2002) evaluated the effects of aqueous extract of L. meyenii in different doses, that is, 4, 10, 20, and 40g/kg and have been shown to increase the swimming activity of mice. The extracts also supported recovery from muscle fatigue after strenuous physical activity. Effect of L. meyenii on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy Zhang et al. (2006) evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of L. meyenii on osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy.

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Figure: Photomicrograph of lumbar vertebrae (L-2) of L. meyenii treated group (0.24g/kg) revealing restoration of normal architecture.

Zhang Y, Yu L, Ao M, Jin W. 2006. Effect of ethanol extract of Lepedium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat. Journal of Ethnopharmacology; 105: 274-279.

Figure: Photomicrograph of lumbar vertebrae (L-2) of L. meyenni treated group (0.096 g/kg) exhibiting patial trabecular restoration.

Zhang Y, Yu L, Ao M, Jin W. 2006. Effect of ethanol extract of Lepedium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat. Journal of Ethnopharmacology; 105: 274-279.

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