Effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia

Aim： To determine the effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats. Methods： Prostatic hyperplasia was induced in male rats with testosterone enanthate （TE）. The study comprised six groups： one control group （group 1）, one group treated with TE （group 2）, two groups treated with TE and aqueous extract of red maca （groups 3 and 4）, one group treated with hydroalcoholic extract of red maca （group 5） and one group treated with finasteride （0.1 mg, group 6）. Differences in the aqueous extract dependent on the length of time of boiling, whether for 2 or 3 hours, for groups 3 and 4 was assessed. Extracts of red maca contained 0.1 mg of benzylglucosinolate. Thereafter, a doseresponse effect of different doses of benzylglucosinolates （0.02-0.08 mg） in red maca extracts was assessed. Results： Prostate weight was similar in rats treated with freeze-dried aqueous extract of red maca prepared after 2 and 3 hours of boiling. Freeze-dried aqueous extract of red maca, hydroalcoholic extract of red maca and finasteride reduced prostate weight in rats with prostatic hyperplasia. No difference was observed between the data obtained from aqueous extract or hydroalcoholic extract of red maca. A dose dependent reduction of prostate weight was observed with the increase of the dose of benzylglucosinolates in red maca extracts. Conclusion： The present study showed that hydroalcoholic or aqueous extract of red maca containing 0.1 mg of benzylglucosinolate can reduce prostate size in male rats in which prostatic hyperplasia had been induced by TE.

Effect of Lepidium meyenii(maca)roots on spermatogenesis of male rats

Aim:To determine the effect of oral administration of an aqueous extract from the roots of Lepidium meyenii(maca)on spermatogenesis in adult male rats.Methods;Male rats received an aqueous extract of the root(66.7 mg in onemL)twice a day for 14 consecutive days.Results:Treatment with Lepidium meyenii resulted in an increase in theweights of testis and epididymis but not the seminal vesicle weight.The length and frequency of stages IX-XIV seminif-erous tubules,where mitosis occurred,were increased and stages I-VI were reduced in rats treated with Lepidiummeyenii.Conclusion;The Lepidium meyenii root invigorates spermatogenesis in male rats by acting on its initialstages(IX-XIV).

Effect of alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on testicular function in male rats

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on the spermatogenesis in male rats. Methods: In Holtzman rats, Maca alcoholic extract (5%) was given by oral route at doses of 48 mg/day or 96 mg/day for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. Testicular function was assessed by measurements of lengths of different stages of seminiferous epithelia and by epididymal sperm count. Results: Ethanolic extract of Maca increased the length of stages IX-XI of seminiferous epithelium at treatment day 7, day 14 and day 21. Progression of spermatogenesis was evident only after day 21 when lengths of stages XII-XIV of seminiferous epithelium were increased; at day 7 and day 14, no important change in spermatogenesis was observed. Epididymal sperm count was increased with 48 mg/day at all times. With 96 mg/day an increase in sperm count was observed at day 7, but it was reduced at day 14 and day 21 of treatment. Serum testosterone levels were not affected. Conclusion: The alcoholic extract of Maca activates onset ant progression of spermatogenesis at 48 mg/day or 96 mg/day in rats.