Inflammatory pathway employed by Red Maca to treat induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a pathology characterised by an increase in prostate size associated with low urinary tract symptoms. Finasteride (F), a 5a-reductase inhibitor, is the standard treatment for BPH reducing prostate weight but also sexual desire. The Peruvian plant known as Red Maca (RM) (Lepidium meyenii) inhibits BPH in rats and mice.

Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

The plant maca, grown at 4000 m altitude in the Peruvian Central Andes, contains hypocotyls that have been used as food and in traditional medicine for centuries. The aim of this research was to provide results on some health effects of oral administration of spray-dried extracts of black or red maca (Lepidium meyenii) in adult human subjects living at low (LA) and high altitude (HA). A total of 175 participants were given 3 g of either placebo, black, or red maca extract daily for 12 weeks.

[Hypotensive effect of extract of macerated garlic (Allium sativum) for 18 weeks in an in vivo experimental model].

Objectives: Determine whether macerated extract of garlic (Allium sativum) for 18 weeks is equal to or better than Captopril in its hypotensive effect in rats.

Materials And Methods: We performed an experimental in vivo study with Holtzman male rats divided into five groups using 100, 500 and 1,000 mg kg of garlic extract, Captopril 100 mg/kg and a vehicle group. 50 mg/kg L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) was administered intraperitoneally which elevated blood pressure after the third day.

Preterm birth risk at high altitude in Peru.

Objective: High altitude has been implicated in a variety of adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia and stillbirth. Smaller studies show conflicting data on the association between high altitude and preterm birth (PTB). The objective of this study was to assess the association between altitude and PTB.

[Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp), a review of its biological properties].

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant that grows above 4000 altitude meters in Peru's Central Andes; it has different varieties according to the color of the hypocotyl. This review summarizes the results of studies about the effects of maca on sexual function, spermatogenesis, female reproductive function, memory, depression and anxiety, and energy as well as effects on benign prostatic hyperplasia, osteoporosis and metabolic syndrome. Its anti-aging effect is also discussed as well as safety in consumption.

Correcting haemoglobin cut-offs to define anaemia in high-altitude pregnant women in Peru reduces adverse perinatal outcomes.

Purpose: To determine if correction of cut-offs of haemoglobin levels to define anaemia at high altitudes affects rates of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods: Data were obtained from 161,909 mothers and newborns whose births occurred between 1,000 and 4,500 m above sea level (masl). Anaemia was defined with or without correction of haemoglobin (Hb) for altitude as Hb <11 g/dL.

Synergistic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) and Fagara tessmannii (Rutaceae) on male sexual organs and hormone level in rats.

Background: Lepidium meyenii is a plant, which has been used in folk medicine to treat infertility and to increase sexual desire. However, few reports have investigated the administration of this plant with other plants having the same properties.

Objective: The present investigation was designed to evaluate whether the combination of Lepidium meyenii and Fagara tessmannii can improve spermatogenesis and testosterone level in rats.

Role of maca (Lepidium meyenii) consumption on serum interleukin-6 levels and health status in populations living in the Peruvian Central Andes over 4000 m of altitude.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a plant that grows at over 4,000 m above sea level in the central Peruvian Andes. The hypocotyls of this plant are traditionally consumed for their nutritional and medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the health status based on a health related quality of life (HRQL) questionnaire (SF-20) and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in subjects that are maca consumers.

Chronic mountain sickness score was related with health status score but not with hemoglobin levels at high altitudes.

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) or lack of adaptation to live in high altitudes is related to environmental hypoxia and excessive erythrocytosis (EE) (hemoglobin >21 and >19 g/dL for men and women, respectively). Diagnosis of CMS ("Qinghai CMS Score") is based on seven signs/symptoms (breathlessness and/or palpitations, sleep disturbance, cyanosis, dilatation of veins, paresthesia, headache, tinnitus) and the score for EE. The present study was designed to determine the association between hemoglobin, Qinghai CMS score, CMS clinical score (7 signs/symptoms) and Health Status using a health survey composed of 20 items.

The transillumination technique as a method for the assessment of spermatogenesis using medicinal plants: the effect of extracts of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) and camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) on stages of the spermatogenic cycle in male rats.

Transillumination technique for assessment of stages of spermatogenic cycle is a useful tool for toxicological studies. This study was designed to determine the effect of two medicinal plants on spermatogenesis in male rats using the transillumination technique. For this, the effect of the combination of a fruit with highest content of ascorbic acid (Myrciaria dubia, camu camu) and extract of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on seminiferous tubule stages scored by transillumination on intact tubules in adult male rats was assessed.

A mixture of extracts from Peruvian plants (black maca and yacon) improves sperm count and reduced glycemia in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

We investigated the effect of two extracts from Peruvian plants given alone or in a mixture on sperm count and glycemia in streptozotocin-diabetic mice. Normal or diabetic mice were divided in groups receiving vehicle, black maca (Lepidium meyenii), yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) or three mixtures of extracts black maca/yacon (90/10, 50/50 and 10/90%). Normal or diabetic mice were treated for 7 d with each extract, mixture or vehicle.

Association of hemoglobin values at booking with adverse maternal outcomes among Peruvian populations living at different altitudes.

Objective: To determine hemoglobin values associated with adverse maternal outcomes among Peruvian populations at different altitudes.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the Perinatal Information System. Adverse maternal outcomes were assessed.

[Maternal hemoglobin in Peru: regional differences and its association with adverse perinatal outcomes].

Objectives: To evaluate hemoglobin (Hb) levels in pregnant women from different geographical regions from Peru; to establish anemia and erythrocytocis rates and to establish the role of Hb on adverse perinatal outcomes using the Perinatal Information System (PIS) database of Peruvian Ministry of Health.

Materials And Methods: Data were obtained from 379,816 births of 43 maternity care units between 2000 and 2010. Anemia and erythrocytocis rates were determined in each geographical region as well as rates of adverse perinatal outcomes.

Maternal hemoglobin concentration and adverse pregnancy outcomes at low and moderate altitudes in Peru.

Objective: To identify associations of maternal hemoglobin (Hb) with perinatal outcomes at low and moderate altitudes in Peru.

Methods: Study of records with sequential information using perinatal database system. The study included 295 651 pregnant women with their products.

Dose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by ethanol.

Previous studies have shown that black variety of maca has beneficial effects on learning and memory in experimental animal models. The present study aimed to determine whether the hydroalcoholic extract of black maca (BM) showed a dose-response effect in mice treated with ethanol 20% (EtOH) as a model of memory impairment. Mice were divided in the following groups: control, EtOH, ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.

High serum zinc and serum testosterone levels were associated with excessive erythrocytosis in men at high altitudes.

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS), a lack of adaptation to altitude characterized by excessive erythrocytosis (EE), is a health problem associated with life at high altitude. The erythropoietic process is regulated by both erythropoietin and testosterone. Zinc (Zn) is known to be related with testosterone and hemoglobin levels; meanwhile, nitric oxide was also associated with adaptation to high altitude.

Mitochondrial nitric oxide metabolism during rat heart adaptation to high altitude: effect of sildenafil, L-NAME, and L-arginine treatments.

Rats submitted to high altitude (Cerro de Pasco, Perú, 4,340 m, Po(2) = 12.2 kPa) for up to 84 days showed a physiological adaptive response with decreased body weight gain (15%), increased right ventricle weight (100%), and increased hematocrit (40%) compared with sea level animals. These classical parameters of adaptation to high altitude were accompanied by an increase in heart mitochondrial enzymes: complexes I-III activity by 34% and mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS) activity and expression by >75%.

High serum testosterone levels are associated with excessive erythrocytosis of chronic mountain sickness in men.

Chronic mountain sickness (CMS) is characterized by excessive erythrocytosis (EE) secondary to hypoventilation. Erythropoietin (Epo) and testosterone regulate erythrocyte production. Low thyroid hormone levels are also associated to hypoventilation.

Semen quality in Peruvian pesticide applicators: association between urinary organophosphate metabolites and semen parameters.

Background: Organophosphates are broad class of chemicals widely used as pesticides throughout the world. We performed a cross-sectional study of associations between dialkylphosphate metabolites of organophosphates and semen quality among pesticide applicators in Majes (Arequipa), Peru.

Methods: Thirty-one men exposed to organophosphate (OP) pesticides and 31 non-exposed were recruited (age, 20-60 years).

Effect of different fractions from hydroalcoholic extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on testicular function in adult male rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different fractions of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii), obtained from the hydroalcoholic extract, on spermatogenesis.

Design: Animal study.

Setting: Animal and laboratory facilities at a university.

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.

Semen quality and reproductive sex hormone levels in Peruvian pesticide sprayers.

To determine the association between occupational pesticide exposure and semen quality among sprayers using organophosphate (OPs) pesticides, 31 pesticide sprayers and 80 men who were not exposed were studied. Semen and blood samples were obtained one day after last pesticide application. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, percentage of normal morphology, and fructose and zinc concentrations.

Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice.

Background: Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl growing exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m altitude in the central Peruvian Andes, particularly in Junin plateau and is used traditionally to enhance fertility. Maca is a cultivated plant and different cultivars are described according to the color of the hypocotyls.

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced -- damage on reproductive function in male rats.

Rats were treated with 0, 8, 16 and 24 mg/kg of lead acetate (LA) (i.p.) for 35 days with or without Maca.

Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats.

Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae), known as Maca, is a Peruvian hypocotyl that grows exclusively between 4000 and 4500 m above sea level in the central Andes. Maca is traditionally employed in the Andean region for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The study aimed to test the hypothesis that different ecotypes of Maca (Red, Yellow and Black) after short-term (7 days) and long-term (42 days) treatment affects differentially spermatogenesis adult rats.