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International Journal of Biomedical Science
1(1) 33-45
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© 2005 Master Publishing Group
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Original Article
[FullText]
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Use of Gelatinized Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) in Early Postmenopausal Women - a Pilot Study |
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H O Meissner1, W Kapczynski2,
A Mscisz3, J Lutomski3f |
1 Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University & TTD
International Pty Ltd,GPO Box 4792, Sydney 2001 (Australia)
2 Specialist Gynecology Clinic, 14 Powstancow Wlkp., 61-895
Poznan (Poland);
3 Research Institute of Medicinal Plants, 27 Libelta St., 61-707
Poznan (Poland)
Short title - page header: Maca in Postmenopausal Women
The mailing address of principal author:
Dr Henry Meissner, GPO Box 4792, Sydney 2001, Australia
Tel: + (61) 414 836 159; Tel/Fax: + (61 2) 9906 1580;
E-Mail: hmeissner@ttdintnl.com.au |
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Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) - post menopause - hormones - plant alternative to
HRT |
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Objective: This double-blind, placebo-corrected
clinical pilot study was aimed at assessing the use of hypocotyls of cruciferous
Andean plant Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon), in alleviating symptoms of
menopausal discomfort experienced by women in early post menopause as measured
by profiles of serum hormones: Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating
Hormone (FSH), Estrogen (E2) and Progesterone (PG) and as assessed by Greene's
Menopausal Index.
Design: Study was conducted on 20 Caucasian healthy early-postmenopausal
women volunteers during the three months period (Trial I) and on eight women
during nine months period (Trial II). Hormone levels were determined in blood
with a simultaneous assessment of menopausal index at the start of study, after
one month use of placebo, and after two and eight months administration of 2g
gelatinized Maca root powder (Maca-GO) in the form of two 500mg hard gel
capsules, twice daily.
Results: In comparison to placebo, after both, two and eight months
administration of Maca-GO capsules to EPMW, level of FSH significantly (P<0.05)
decreased with a simultaneous significant (P<0.05) increase in the LH level,
resulting in significant (P<0.05) increase in both E2 and PG, after eight months
of Maca-GO treatment only. There was a significant (<0.05) placebo effect
resulting in an elevated PG level after one month administration of placebo
capsules. Changes in hormone levels was accompanied by substantially-reduced
feeling of discomfort associated with menopause, although, there was a
distinctive, positive placebo effect as judged by responses to Greene's
questionnaire.
Conclusions: It is reasonable to suggest that Maca-GO when used in EPMW,
depending on the length of use, was acting as a toner of hormonal processes as
reflected by decrease in FSH and increased LH secretion, which stimulated
production of both ovarian hormones, E2 and PG and resulted in a substantial
reduction of menopausal discomfort felt by women participating in the study,
with a distinctive placebo effect, thus, fully justifying further, more complex
study on effectiveness of Maca-GO as a reliable alternative to HRT program.
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