Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands

Lepidium meyenii (maca) is a Peruvian plant of the Brassicaceae family cultivated for more than 2000 years, which grows exclusively in the central Andes between 4000 and 4500 m altitude. Maca is used as a food supplement and also for its medicinal properties described traditionally. Since the 90s of the XX century, an increasing interest in products from maca has been observed in many parts of the world. In the last decade, exportation of maca from Peru has increased from 1,415,000 USD in 2001 to USD 6,170,000 USD in 2010. Experimental scientific evidence showed that maca has nutritional, energizer, and fertility-enhancer properties, and it acts on sexual dysfunctions, osteoporosis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, memory and learning, and protects skin against ultraviolet radiation. Clinical trials showed efficacy of maca on sexual dysfunctions as well as increasing sperm count and motility. Maca is a plant with great potential as an adaptogen and appears to be promising as a nutraceutical in the prevention of several diseases

Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Second Hemoglobin Measurement in Nonanemic Women at First Booking: Effect of Altitude of Residence in Peru

Objective. To determine changes in hemoglobin concentration at second measurements after a normal hemoglobin concentration was detected at first booking during pregnancy at low and at high altitudes. Methods. This is a secondary analysis of a large database obtained from the Perinatal Information System in Peru which includes 379,816 pregnant women and their babies from 43 maternity units in Peru. Results. Most women remained with normal hemoglobin values at second measurement (75.1%). However, 21.4% of women became anemic at the second measurement. In all, 2.8% resulted with moderate/severe anemia and 3.5% with erythrocytosis (Hb>14.5 g/dL). In all cases Hb was higher as altitude increased. Risk for moderate/severe anemia increased associated with higher gestational age at second measurement of hemoglobin, BMI <19.9 kg/m2, living without partner, <5 antenatal care visits, first parity, multiparity, and preeclampsia. Lower risk for moderate/severe anemia was observed with normal high Hb level at first booking living at moderate and high altitude, and high BMI. Conclusion. Prevalence of anemia increases as pregnancy progress, and that a normal value at first booking may not be considered sufficient as Hb values should be observed throughout pregnancy. BMI was a risk for anemia in a second measurement

The Methyltetrahydro-β-Carbolines in Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Maca, a plant native to the Peruvian highlands, contains (1R,3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (MTCA). The family of the tetrahydro-β-carbolines has been associated with both biologically helpful and harmful compounds. We present evidence that MTCA is a natural constituent of Maca, and on consumption no toxicity is found. This suggests that, when consumed as multi-component, MTCA may loose its adversity as drug action

Association of serum hepcidin with prostate-specific antigen levels in men from high Andean cities of Peru

OBJECTIVE The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the primary biomarker to diagnose prostate cancer. Hepcidin has been reported as an alternative for this diagnosis; however, it is unclear how PSA and hepcidin function at high altitude (HA). This study aims to assess the association between hepcidin with PSA in HA residents chronically exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. METHODS We retrospectively examined data of 70 healthy males (aged 18-65-years-old) from four different altitudes cities in Peru: Lima (<150 m), Huancayo (2380 m), Puno (3800 m), and Cerro de Pasco (4320 m). Serum hepcidin, testosterone, and PSA were analyzed by chemiluminescence immunoassay. HA parameters (hemoglobin [Hb], pulse oxygen saturation [SpO$_{2}$], and chronic mountain sickness [CMS] score) were also included in the study. Bivariate analyses and a multivariate linear mixed model were used to evaluate the association between hepcidin and PSA, adjusted by HA parameters, age, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS Cases of excessive erythrocytosis (EE) (Hb >21 g/dL) were observed in the three highest cities. Hepcidin was positively correlated with Hb, CMS score, and BMI (P ≤ 0.05). Hepcidin was higher in Huancayo with respect to Puno, while PSA was lower in Cerro de Pasco in regard to Puno and Lima (P ≤ 0.05). Neither hepcidin nor PSA was increased by altitude in each city (P > 0.05). We did not find an association between hepcidin and PSA, even adjusted by age, BMI, Hb, and SpO$_{2}$ (P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION These findings showed no association between hepcidin and PSA levels in healthy residents at HA

Obesidad y anemia en mujeres embarazadas a baja y gran altitud

Objective. To demonstrate if pregestational obesity in populations living at low and at high altitudes was associated with hemoglobin (Hb) reduction and if changes are observed in each of the trimesters of pregnancy. Methods. We used a database containing information from 1’712,639 pregnant women belonging to each of the 24 departments of Peru obtained during the period 2012 to 2017. Pre-pregnancy Weight and height were determined, and BMI was calculated and expressed as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. Data about weight gain during pregnancy was also recorded. Hemoglobin was measured using hemocue. Data are presented as uncorrected hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) as well as corrected hemoglobin concentration (g/dL) after adjusting its value by altitude as recommended by World Health Organization. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analysis. P&lt;0,05 was considered as significant. Results. Increase of BMI category increased the hemoglobin concentration (corrected or uncorrected) (p &lt;0,0001) whereas, the weight gain from pregnancy is lowered in a dose-response fashion as BMI category increased (P &lt;0,0001). Significant differences were found in age (years) and BMI (Kg/m2) between all groups regarding trimester (p &lt;0,0001). Women with overweight and obesity does not increase weight at first trimester of pregnancy. Obesity was associated with low weight gain at second and third trimester of pregnancy. Higher pregnancy weight gain was correlated with lower hemoglobin concentration (R² = 0,963; p&lt;0,0001). Conclusions. It is necessary to measure the plasma volume of pregnant women, as this would avoid misinterpretations of hemoglobin concentration in overweight and obese pregnant women.Objetivo. Demostrar si la obesidad pregestacional en mujeres embarazadas de poblaciones que viven a bajas y altas altitudes se relaciona con la reducción de la hemoglobina (Hb) y si se observan cambios en cada uno de los trimestres del embarazo. Métodos. Utilizamos una base de datos que contiene información de 1'712,639 mujeres embarazadas pertenecientes a cada uno de los 24 departamentos del Perú obtenidas durante el período 2012 a 2017. Se determinó el peso y la talla antes del embarazo, y se calculó el IMC y se expresó como el peso en kilogramos dividido por el cuadrado de altura en metros. También se registraron los datos sobre el aumento de peso durante el embarazo. Las mediciones de hemoglobina se obtuvieron mediante el dispositivo hemocue. Los datos se presentan como la concentración de Hb no corregida (g/dL) y la concentración de Hb corregida (g/dL) después de ajustar su valor por altitud según lo recomendado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Los datos se analizaron mediante análisis bivariados y multivariados. P &lt;0,05 fue considerado como significativo. Resultados. Conforme aumentó la categoría de IMC aumentó la concentración de hemoglobina (corregida y no corregida) (p &lt;0,0001) mientras que la ganancia de peso durante el embarazo se reducía en forma de dosis-respuesta a medida que aumentaba el IMC (P &lt;0,0001). Se encontraron diferencias significativas en la edad (años) y el IMC (Kg/m2) entre todos los grupos con respecto al trimestre (p &lt;0,0001). Las mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad no aumentan de peso en el primer trimestre del embarazo. La obesidad se asoció con un bajo aumento de peso en el segundo y tercer trimestre del embarazo. El mayor aumento de peso durante el embarazo se correlacionó con una menor concentración de hemoglobina (R² = 0,963;p&lt;0,0001). Conclusiones. Es necesario medir el volumen plasmático de las gestantes con la finalidad de evitar malinterpretaciones de la real concentración de hemoglobina en gestantes con obesidad y sobrepeso

Dialkyl phosphate metabolites of organophosphorus in applicators of agricultural pesticides in Majes – Arequipa (Peru)

BACKGROUND: Organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides are the most commonly used pesticides in Peruvian agriculture. The population at risk for OPs exposure includes formulators, applicators and farmers. Majes Valley is the most important agricultural center of the Southern region of Peru. The present study was aimed to determine the knowledge about using OPs, safety practice and urinary dialkylphosphate metabolites on OP applicators in the Majes Valley, Peru. METHODS: This study was based on a questionnaire which included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of safety practices to handling OPs, characteristics of pesticide application and use of protective measures to avoid pesticide contamination. Exposure was assessed by measuring six urinary OP metabolites (DMP, DMTP, DMDTP, DEP, DETP, and DEDTP) by gas chromatography using a single flame photometric detector. The sample consisted of 31 men and 2 women aged 20 – 65 years old. RESULTS: 76% of applicators had at least one urinary dialkylphosphate metabolite above the limit of detection. The geometric mean (GM) and the geometric standard deviation (GSD) of DMP and DEP were 5.73 ug/g cr. (GSD 2.51), and 6.08 ug/g cr. (GSD 3.63), respectively. The percentage of applicators with detectable DMP, DMDTP, and DMTP in urine was 72.72%, 3.03%, and 15.15%, respectively, while the corresponding figures for DEP, DETP, and DEDTP were 48.48%, 36.36% and 15.15%, respectively. There was no significant association between the use of protection practices and the absence of urine OPs metabolites suggesting inadequate protection practices. CONCLUSION: The pesticide applicators in Majes Valley have significant exposure to OP pesticides, probably due to inappropriate protective practices. Future work should evaluate possible health effects

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. METHODS: The study aimed to elucidate the effect of Yellow, Red and Black Maca on cognitive function and depression in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. In all experiments OVX mice were treated during 21 days and divided in four groups: control group, Yellow Maca, Red Maca and Black Maca. Latent learning was assessed using the water finding task and the antidepressant activity of the three varieties of Maca was evaluated using the forced swimming test. Animals were sacrificed at the end of each treatment and the uterus were excised and weighed. RESULTS: Black Maca was the variety that showed the best response in the water finding task, particularly in the trained mice. The three varieties were effective to reduce finding latency in non trained and trained mice (P < 0.05). In the force swimming test, all varieties assessed reduced the time of immobility and increased uterine weight in OVX mice. CONCLUSION: Black Maca appeared to have more beneficial effects on latent learning in OVX mice; meanwhile, all varieties of Maca showed antidepressant activity