Effect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat

J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21;105(1-2):274-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.12.013. Epub 2006 Feb 8.

Abstract

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) is a cruciferous plant from the Andes of Peru. The root of Maca is traditionally employed for its supposed properties in aphrodisiacs and improving fertility, it also has been widely used to help alleviate the symptoms of menopause. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of ethanol extract of Maca on postmenopausal osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: Sham-operated and ovariectomized groups were fed with equivolume of distilled water, and the remaining ovariectomized groups were orally administrated with ethanol extract of Maca at 0.096 and 0.24 g/kg for 28 weeks. The findings derived from the basis of bone mineral density, biomechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters indicated that higher dose of ethanol extract of Maca was effective in the prevention of estrogen deficient bone loss.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Ethanol / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Femur / drug effects
  • Lepidium / chemistry*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Ovariectomy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Substances

  • Plant Extracts
  • Ethanol