ABSTRACT
The aim of this paper was to study the effect of Lepidium meyenii(Maca) on cyclic nucleotides, neurotransmitter levels and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immunization of deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat syndrome rats, in order to explore the cold and hot medicinal properties of Maca. SD rats were divided into blank group, deficiency-cold syndrome group, Cinnamomi Cortex of deficiency-cold syndrome(30 g·kg~(-1)) group, high and low-dose Maca groups(2.4, 1.2 g·kg~(-1)), deficiency-heat syndrome group, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex(PCC) of deficiency-heat syndrome(5 g·kg~(-1)), and high and low-dose Maca groups(2.4, 1.2 g·kg~(-1)). The rats were treated with intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone(20 mg·kg~(-1)) or dexamethasone sodium phosphate(0.35 mg·kg~(-1)) for 21 days to set up the deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat model. The levels of cAMP, cGMP, NE, DA, 5-HT, CRH, ACTH, CORT and IgM, IgG, C3, C4 were detected by radio immunoassay. Both the high-dose Maca group and the low-dose Maca group can significantly improve the overall state and body weight of rats with deficiency-cold syndrome(P<0.01, P<0.05), significantly increasing cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, NE, DA, ACTH(P<0.01, P<0.001), and significantly decreasing 5-HT(P<0.01, P<0.001). However, high-dose and low-dose Maca groups could not improve the deficiency-heat syndrome, and the levels of cAMP, cGMP, cAMP/cGMP, NE, DA, 5-HT and ACTH were not statistically significant. Maca had a significant regulatory effect on CORT, IgM, IgG and C3 content of rats with deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat syndrome(P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001). Maca showed the same effect with Cinnamomi Cortex in adjusting the levels of deficiency-cold rats, but in opposition to Phellodendri Chinese Cortex. This paper confirmed that Maca was slightly warm based on its effect on cyclic nucleotide levels and neuro-endocrine-immune networks by the pharmacological experimental method.
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Endocrine System/drug effects , Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System , Immune System/drug effects , Lepidium/chemistry , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Nervous System/drug effects , Neurotransmitter Agents , Nucleotides, Cyclic , Pituitary-Adrenal System , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , TemperatureABSTRACT
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI) is a novel technique for in-situ distribution of various substances in tissue without labeling. This technique is increasingly applied to the study of medicinal plants owing to its high spatial resolution and its potential of in-situ analysis in small molecules. In this study, the structural information and their fragmentation patterns of the midazole alkaloids(1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolium chloride and 1,3-dibenzyl-2,4,5-trimethylimi-dazolium chloride) and benzylglucosinolate in the medicinal plant Maca(Lepdium meyeni) root were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid phase combined with LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-HR-MS). The localization of these active ingredients in the cross-sections of Maca root was performed by MALDI-MSI. These results demonstrated that the two types of imidazole alkaloids had a similar distributed pattern. They were located more in the cortex and the periderm than those in the medulla of a lateral root, while the localization of benzylglucosinolate was concentrated in the center of the root rather than in the cortex and the periderm. The precise spatial distribution of various secondary metabolites in tissue provides an important scientific basis for the accumulation of medicinal plant active ingredients in tissues. In addition, this imaging method is a promising technique for the rapid evaluation and identification of the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine in plant tissues, as well as assisting the research on the processing of medicinal plants.
Subject(s)
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Lepidium/chemistry , Phytochemicals/analysis , Plant Roots/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Secondary Metabolism , Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-IonizationABSTRACT
To evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on the sexual capacity of males, 40 rams were classified as high (HP) and low performers (LP). Within each category (n = 20), ten rams were supplemented with 233 mg of dry maca/kg of body weight/day during four weeks, followed by four weeks of a control diet (residual), while the rest of the animals remained as controls during the eight-weeks period. LP rams increased (P < 0.05) all sexual behaviors during maca supplementation up to HP levels, decreasing to control planes one week after the supplementation ceased. In contrast, in HP rams, maca supplementation only increased genital sniffs and nudging, while mounts and ejaculations remained unaffected during both supplementation and residual phases. It was concluded that maca supplementation affects males differently, according to their original sexual capacity.
Con el propósito de evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con maca (Lepidium meyenii) en la capacidad de servicio de los machos, 40 carneros se clasificaron como de alto (HP) y bajo desempeño sexual (LP). Dentro de cada categoría (n = 20), diez carneros se suplementaron con 233 mg de maca seca/kg de peso corporal/día durante cuatro semanas, seguidos de cuatro semanas de dieta control (residual), mientras que el resto de los animales permanecieron como testigos durante las ocho semanas. Los carneros LP incrementaron (P<0.05) todas sus conductas sexuales durante la suplementación hasta niveles similares a los mostrados por carneros HP, disminuyendo a niveles del grupo control una semana después de terminada la suplementación. En contraste, en los carneros HP, la suplementación con maca sólo incrementó las conductas de olfateo genital y cortejo, sin embargo montas y eyaculaciones permanecieron sin cambios tanto durante la fase de suplementación como la residual. Se concluye que la suplementación con maca actúa diferente en machos de acuerdo a su capacidad de servicio.
Subject(s)
Male , Animals , Lepidium/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Sheep , Aphrodisiacs , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , ReproductionABSTRACT
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of maca (Lepidium meyenii) supplementation on some libido and semen characteristics of hair sheep rams (Ovis aries). Thirty 15-months old Saint croix males were fed either a control diet (concentrate feed; n=15) for 16 weeks or a maca supplemented diet (233 mg dried hypocotyls of black maca/kg body weight/day added to the concentrate feed) for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks without maca supplementation (n=15). Maca supplementation increased (P<0.05) the number of mounts and ejaculations decreasing the time between these events, at the end of week eight. However, no difference was found on reaction time, time until 1st ejaculation, testes circumference, ejaculation volume, sperm concentration and ram efficiency (mounts/ejaculations). These effects persisted 8 weeks later after no supplementation. It was concluded that maca consumption improves some mating behaviors in hair sheep rams, while semen characteristics appeared unaffected.
El propósito del presente estudio fue el evaluar el efecto de la suplementación con maca (Lepidium meyenii) sobre la libido y características del semen de carneros de pelo (Ovis aries). Treinta machos Santa cruz con 15 meses de edad se alimentaron con una dieta control (alimento concentrado; n=15) durante 16 semanas o con una dieta suplementada con maca (233 mg de hipocótilos secos de maca negra/kg de peso vivo/día, integrados al alimento concentrado) durante 8 semanas, seguidas de 8 semanas sin suplementación de maca (n=15). La suplementación con maca incrementó (P<0.05) el número de montas y eyaculados disminuyendo el tiempo entre estos eventos al final de la semana ocho. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias en el tiempo de reacción, tiempo al 1er eyaculado, circunferencia escrotal, volumen del eyaculado, concentración espermática ni eficiencia del carnero (montas/eyaculaciones). Efectos que persistieron ocho semanas después, sin suplementación alguna. Se concluye que el consumo de maca incrementa las conductas de cópula en los carneros de pelo, mientras que las características de semen parecen sin cambios.
Subject(s)
Male , Animals , Lepidium/chemistry , Libido , Sheep/physiology , Ejaculation , Sexual Behavior, Animal , Semen , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Lepidium meyenii Walp, Brassicaceae (Maca) is a plant native to Peru to conferring immunostimulatory activity. The objective was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of the aqueous extract (EAc) of yellow ecotype on gene expression of three hematopoietic cytokines (IL-3, GM-CSF and IL-7) in splenocytes from Balb/c mice immunosuppressed with cyclophosphamide. Levels of mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. Two days after immunosuppression (IS), in splenocytes from mice treated with EAc increased expression of mRNA was demonstrated for IL-3, GM-CSF e IL-7 (p < 0.05) compared to the untreated group. Five days after IS, in mice treated with EAc found higher cell counts in bone marrow, peripheral blood and endogenous colonies formed units in spleen compared to the untreated group. It is concluded that administration of EAc in immunocompromised mice can reverse the suppressive effects of cyclophosphamide.
Lepidium meyenii Walp., Brassicaceae (Maca) es una planta oriunda del Perú a la que se atribuye actividad inmunoestimuladora. El objetivo fue evaluar el efecto inmunomodulador del extracto acuoso (EAc) del ecotipo amarillo sobre la expresión génica de tres citoquinas hematopoyéticas (IL-3, GM-CSF e IL-7) en esplenocitos de ratones Balb/c inmunosuprimidos con ciclofosfamida. Los niveles de mRNA se midieron por RT-PCR. Dos días después de la inmunosupresión (IS), en los esplenocitos de los ratones tratados con EAc se evidenció mayor expresión de mRNA para IL-3, GM-CSF e IL-7 (p<0.05) respecto al grupo no tratado. Cinco días después de la IS, en los ratones tratados con EAc se encontró mayor recuento de células en la médula ósea, sangre periférica y unidades formadoras de colonias endógenas en el bazo respecto al grupo no tratado. Se concluye que la administración de EAc a ratones inmunocomprometidos puede revertir los efectos supresores de la ciclofosfamida.
Subject(s)
Animals , Female , Mice , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Immunocompromised Host , Lepidium/chemistry , Adjuvants, Immunologic/pharmacology , Spleen/cytology , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor , Mice, Inbred BALB C , MicroRNAs/analysis , Peru , Real-Time Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers - Brassicaceae-) is used like nutritional and/or medicinal. Its root is consumed as flour and is used in the bread industry. The aim of this work is to determine micrographic characters for botanical quality control of foods derived from vegetables. The roots were analyzed by means of disgregation with Sodium Hydroxide to 5 percent; reduction to dust; histochemistries reactions; observation with polarized light of starch grains and measurement of the observed elements. Small and polymorphic starch grains and elements of conduction were observed. These micrographic characters are useful for the quality control of commercial samples of maca that appear like flours.
La maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers Brassicaceae-) se emplea como alimenticia y/o medicinal. Su raíz se consume como harina y se utiliza en la industria panificadora. El objetivo de este trabajo es determinar caracteres micrográficos para control de calidad botánico de alimentos derivados de vegetales. Se analizaron las raíces mediante disociado leve con Hidróxido de Sodio al 5 por ciento; reducción a polvo; reacciones histoquímicas; observación con luz polarizada de los granos de almidón y medición de los elementos observados. Se observaron gránulos de almidón pequeños y polimórficos y elementos de conducción. Estos caracteres micrográficos son útiles para el control de calidad de muestras comerciales de maca que se presentan en forma de harinas.
Subject(s)
Lepidium/chemistry , Plants, Medicinal/chemistry , Quality Control , Plant Roots/chemistry , Starch , Flour , Food QualityABSTRACT
Se realizó una recopilación de información técnica y científica relativa a Lepidium meyenii Chacón (Maca), una planta de la familia Brassicaceae que crece en Los Andes Centrales del Perú, entre los 4.000 y 4.500 msnm. Maca ha sido tradicionalmente empleada en la región altoandina debido a supuestas propiedades afrodisíacas y como estimulante de la actividad reproductiva en el hombre y sus animales. Comparativamente con otros vegetales, el análisis químico de la raíz demuestra un alto contenido de carbohidratos, proteínas, lípidos, vitaminas y minerales. Adicionalmente, aminoácidos esenciales y esteroles de alta especificidad que forman parte de neurotransmisores y hormonas, que a su vez cumplen un importante rol funcional en la actividad reproductiva de los mamíferos, se encuentran en alta concentración. Se concluye, a partir de los datos experimentales logrados por variados autores, que el valor nutricional y el efecto sinérgico de los constituyentes naturales de Lepidium meyenii (Maca) deben ser considerados para explicar su acción preventiva de los efectos deletéreos de la altitud sobre la espermatogénesis y estimulante de la fertilidad en sus variados componentes.