PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 17 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Background
Traditional uses
Active compounds
Mechanism of action
Clinical evidence
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, yellow maca improved sperm concentration by 40% over 16 weeks, but this was statistically non-significant compared to placebo (76%) and no significant change in hormone levels was reported [PMID:34585449].
Yellow maca showed moderate effects on sperm production compared to black maca [PMID:20090350]. In rats, short-term treatment (7 days) increased the length of stage VIII of spermatogenesis [PMID:16174556]. Chronic treatment (84 days) improved epididymal sperm count and sperm count in the vas deferens [PMID:17683465]. In mice, sperm count was higher when using extracts from larger hypocotyl sizes and lower pH [PMID:29160562].
Aqueous extract of lyophilized yellow maca (1 g/Kg BW) was used to investigate fertility parameters in female mice [PMID:15869705].
Yellow maca (0.1 mg/mL and 0.2 mg/mL) significantly increased muscle diameter, area, differentiation index, and multinucleation in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells [PMID:35743270].
Topical application of yellow maca leaf extracts prevented the development of sunburn cells, epidermal hyperplasia, and leukocytic infiltration in mice, and increased catalase levels in the skin [PMID:21781063].
Safety & adverse effects
Evidence summary
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 20090350 (2009) — Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru--from tradition to science. · Forschende Komplementarmedizin (2006)
- 2.PMID: 16174556 (2006) — Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
- 3.PMID: 15661081 (2005) — Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats. · Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E
- 4.PMID: 26508907 (2015) — Peruvian Maca (Lepidium peruvianum): (I) Phytochemical and Genetic Differences in Three Maca Phenotypes. · International journal of biomedical science : IJBS
- 5.PMID: 15869705 (2005) — Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice. · Reproductive biology and endocrinology : RB&E