Black Maca

Results:

• In 7 days, the length of stage VIII of the seminiferous tubule were higher (p<0.05) in the maca treated groups compared to the control group.

• In 7 days, black maca increased lengths of stages II-VI (p<0.05) and reduced relative length of stages IX-I (p<0.05).

• In 7 and 42 days, yellow and black maca increased (p<0.05) epididymal sperm number and spermatids in testis; red maca did not have this effect.

• In 7 days, yellow and black maca increased (p<0.05) daily sperm production; red maca did not have an effect.

• In 42 days, black maca increased daily sperm production and its efficiency, whereas yellow and red maca did not provide any difference compared to the control group.

• In 42 days, increased epididymal sperm motility (p<0.05) was observed with red, yellow, and black maca, but this was not observed at 7 days.

Other details:

Red maca resulted in a decrease of prostate wight after 42 days.

No changes in hormone levels were observed.

The authors conclude that black maca may be a potential treatment for male infertility.

Results:

Black maca provided the most beneficial effects on latent learning, as measured by water finding task, particularly on trained mice though all phenotypes were effective for trained and non-trained mice (p<0.05)

The immobility time measured in the forced swimming test was decreased in the groups treated with the three colors of maca (yellow, red and black), suggesting is anti-depressant effects.

Other details:

The three colors of maca increased uterine weight of OVX mice, suggesting it is due to progestin-like effects.

Results:

• Increased epididymal sperm count on days 1, 3, and 7 after the administration of black maca, but similar to controls on days 5 and 12.

• Increased vas deferens sperm count on days 3, 5, and 7 after the administration of black maca, but similar to controls on days 1 and 12.

• Increased daily sperm production from day 1- 7 of treatment with black maca (p<0.01). but was reduced at day 12, similar to control.

Other details:

The authors suggest exploring treatment for 42 days to account for regulatory mechanisms in sperm production.

Results:

• Daily sperm production was similar between all treatment groups.

• Black and yellow maca improved epididymal sperm count (p<0.05).

• Black, yellow, and red maca improved sperm count in vas deferens (P<0.05).

• DNA concentration in the testis was similar to all treatment groups.

• "Maca seems to act as a modulator of sperm count at the reproductive tract level."

Results:

• Two doses of aqueous extracts of black maca (0.50 and 2.0 g/kg of body weight) and two doses of hydroalcoholic extracts of black maca (0.25 and 1.0 g/kg body weight) were studied for its effect on memory impairment induced by scopolamine.

• Both extracts of black maca significantly ameliorated the scopolamine-induced memory impairment.

• Black maca extracts inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity that was increased following scopolamine administration.

• Polyphenolic compounds, such as quercetin, anthocyanins, and alkaloids may be responsible for the favorable outcomes.

Results:

• Increased daily sperm production, efficiency, and sperm transit with the ethyl acetate fraction of black maca.

• Increased sperm count in vas deferens with hydroalcoholic extract of black maca compared to other forms and control.

• "Antioxidant components could play a role in the effect of increased epididymal sperm concentration observed in the model."

Other details:

The authors acknowledge that the most beneficial effect of black maca on sperm count occurs after 42 days of treatment, though positive improvements were observed in this 7-day experiment.

Results:

• Black and red maca reduced the negative effects of ovariectomy on bone health by increasing trabecular bone in the lumbar vertebrae.

• Black and red maca reversed the effects of the ovariectomy on absolute weight of femur and femur width, while yellow maca did not have an impact.

• The results of black and red maca were similar to the estradiol treated group.

Other details:

Polyphenol content was higher in spray-dried maca compared to pulverized powder, with the highest amounts in red maca, followed by yellow and finally black maca.

The authors suggest black and red maca can be an alternative treatment option for osteoporosis.

Results:

• Black maca decreased malonaldehyde (MDA) and acetylcholinesterase levels (p<0.05).

• Black maca increase latency and reduced the number of errors.

• Black maca improved memory impairment induced by ovariectomy, due to is antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects.

Results:

• Red, yellow, and black maca demonstrated UVA/UVB absorptive properties and antioxidant activity.

• Treatment of the three colors had a similar effect to the group treated with sunscreen, SPF 60.

• Highest activity was from red maca, followed by black and then yellow.

• Each of the three colors prevented the development of sunburns, epidermal hyperplasia, and leukocytic infiltration.

• Black maca showed the highest superoxide dismutase levels and higher catalase levels in the skin.

Results:

• Ethanol consumption can cause memory impairment.

• Four doses of black maca (0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.0 g/kg of body weight) were compared against ascorbic acid and a control for 28 days.

• Mice treated with ascorbic acid and black maca reversed the deleterious effects of ethanol.

• The effects of deceased memory impairment caused by ethanol, was improved by black maca in a dose-dependent manner, likely due to its polyphenolic compounds.

Results:

• Gamma irradiation increased total polyphenols in black and red maca, thought black contained higher polyphenols compared to red maca (p<0.01).

• Compared to the control, ascorbic acid, black and red maca contain lower antioxidant capacity, however, black maca contained higher antioxidant capacity compared to red maca.

• Gamma irradiation significantly increased antioxidant capacity (p<0.05) though was noted as a modest increase.

• No difference in irradiated and non-irradiated maca on daily sperm count.

• Higher swimming endurance capacity was observed in the black maca group, with irradiation increasing swimming time to exhaustion, to which the authors credit the increased levels of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity.

• Gamma irradiation did not adversely affect the biological activity of red or black maca.

Results:

• Yellow maca had better antioxidant capacity compared to black maca (p<0.01).

• Total phenolic content was better in the methanolic fraction than in the aqueous fraction of both yellow and black maca, though it was higher in black maca compared to yellow (p<0.01).

• Methanolic extract of black maca resulted in higher concentration of sperm count in epididymis and vas deferens compared to yellow.

• Methanolic extract of yellow maca increased daily sperm production more than methanolic extract black maca (p<0.05)

• Both colors resulted in higher daily sperm production and epididymal sperm count compared to the control group (p<0.01)

• Aqueous fractions of black maca showed higher daily sperm production compared to methanolic extracts of black maca, where are methanolic extracts of yellow maca has higher daily sperm production that butanolic and aqueous extracts.

Results:

• Black maca contained seven macamides; yellow maca contained six macamides; purple maca contained five macamides.

• The content of macamides ranged from 1.47-15.05 mg/g DW, with yellow maca showing the highest.

• N-benzylpalmitamide was only identified in black maca

• Oral administration of black, yellow, and purple maca returned plasma glucose levels to normal, without a significant difference emerging between the three colors.

• All three colors significantly decreased TBRAS and CP contents of the liver.

• All maca extracts enhance antioxidant activity (superoxide dismutase and catalase) of the liver and red blood cells.

• Glutathione levels were enhanced with purple maca but not enhanced with black or yellow maca.

Abbreviations:

TBARS: Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances

CP: carbonylated proteins

Results:

• Significant decrease in body weight, total fat mass and fat coefficient in the 1,200mg/kg treated group.

• All treatment groups (300, 600 and 1,200 mg/kg)

• Attenuated the inflammation and enlargement of adipocyte size caused by the HFD.

• Caused a downward trend in triglycerides.

• Revered the trend of the HFD had on increased bilirubin levels.

• Dose dependent decrease in serum lipid levels including significant decrease in serum cholesterol, LDL-C (all 3 doses) and triglycerides (600 and 1200 mg/kg dose).

• Lower insulin levels and improved insulin sensitivity in the 600 and 1,200 mg/kg group.

Other details:

• 32 bioactive compounds targeting 16 proteins involved in metabolism disorders were identified.

• AEM promoted glycolysis, inhibited gluconeogenesis and upregulated tricarboxylic acid cycle.

• Lipid lowering effects were also observed including enhanced fatty acid oxidation and lipogenesis pathway inhibition.

Results:

• Pregnant mice were injected with valproic acid during pregnancy. The male offspring, 6-12 weeks old, were examined in this study.

• Maca improved cognitive function and spatial memory in the mice models

• Maca improved the mice's social acquisition and recognition.

• Maca increased neuronal activation.

• Significant increase in oxytocinergic neurons after maca treatment.

• "These results reveal for the first time that maca is beneficial to social memory and that it restores social recognition impairments by augmenting the oxytocinergic neuronal pathways, which play an essential role in diverse social behaviors."

Results:

Significant increase in:

• Muscle endurance, as indicated by improvements in 180 degrees right extensor (p<0.05), 180 degrees left extensor (p<0.05) and 180 degrees left flexor (p<0.01) of isokinetic function of the knee. 

• Cardiopulmonary endurance, as indicated by improvements in the 20-minute shuttle run (p<0.001). 

Other details:

Article is published in Korean so limited information is available. The abstract is available in English.

Results:

Significant decrease in:

• BMI

• Inflammatory markers (CRP and CK)

• Muscle endurance at 180 degree EXT (improved muscle function)

Other details:

Article is published in Korean therefore limited information is available. 

Results:

• About 50% of all participants reported an increase in sexual desire

• Effects on mood, energy, and CMS scores were better using red maca compared to black maca and placebo

• In the red maca group at weeks 8 and 12: 80% of all participants reported increased mood and 90% reported increased energy

• Higher quality of life was reported in both red and black maca groups (p<0.05)

• Black maca reduced hemoglobin levels in HA participants 

• In HA, black maca reduced glucose levels in weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.05), red maca reduced glucose in week 8 (p<0.01)

• Systolic blood pressure was reduced in weeks 8 and 12 in the HA group using black maca (p<0.01)

• Red maca reduced CMS scores in weeks 4 (p<0.05), 8 (p<0.01) and 12 (p<0.01)

• Black maca reduced CMS scores in weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.05)

Other details:

• Up to 4% reported a dislike of the taste of the products, but no other effects were reported. The authors propose the differences in outcomes are likely due to the different compositional makeup of black and red maca colors.

• Fatty acids and macamides were higher in black maca than in red maca 

• GABA dominated in red maca 

Abbreviations: HA: high altitude; CMS: chronic mountain sickness

Results:

• Both forms showed significant improvements compared to placebo (p<0.05)

Other details:

• No adverse effects were published

• Full article is not avaialable: Kim SC. Effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) for sperm mobility and erectile function in adult men: A randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Chung-Ang University Hospital, Seoul. 2011. 

• Details provided are reported in PMID: 27621241

Results:

• AMS, IIEF, and IPSS were significantly improved (p<0.0001) 

• IIEF became worse in placebo placebo-treated group

• ADAM was significantly reduced (p<0.0001), showing an improvement in androgen deficiency symptoms

• No changes in testosterone or PSA levels, lipids, body weight, or waist circumference

Other details:

• The authors state the mechanism of action is unclear

• Adverse effects: N=2 with gastrointestinal disorders reported mild gastrointestinal symptoms, but continued with the trial

Abbreviations: Aging Males' Symptoms Scale (AMS), Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Males (ADAM),  International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)

Results: Significant decrease in ammonia levels (p<0.05), improvements in muscle endurance and strength (p<0.05)

Results: (statistical ranges varied based on the sport of the athlete)

• Significant increase in muscle endurance, agility, muscle strength, flexibility, and power

• Significant decrease in inflammatory markers (IL-6 and TNF-a)

• Significant increase in total cholesterol

• Significant decrease in lactic acid and  C-reactive protein 

Other details:

• The authors propose the mechanism of action could be a result of constituents (saponins, phenols, and flavonoids) and/or arginine content of maca

• No adverse effects were reported