Evaluation of the Biological Activity of Glucosinolates and Their Enzymolysis Products Obtained from Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca)

Abstract

Glucosinolates (GLS) were extracted and purified from Lepidium meyenii (Maca) root. Purified GLS were analyzed without desulfation by UPLC–ESI–MS. Glucosinolates were decomposed into benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) by thioglucosidase. DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, and reducing power were used to evaluate antioxidant activity of Maca crude extract (MCE), total GLS, and BITC. Maca crude extract showed the highest antioxidant activity among them, and BITC showed no antioxidant activity at concentrations less than 10 mg/mL. Cytotoxicity on five human cancer cell lines and the inhibition rate of NO production were used to evaluate the activity of anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory of total GLS and BITC. The inhibition rate of NO production of 50 μg/mL BITC can reach 99.26% and the cell viability of 100 μg/mL BITC on five tumor cell lines is less than 3%. The results show that BITC may be used as a promising anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory drug.

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

“…While gelatinization has benefits, it can als Moderate pressure within a specific temperature range would provide ideal conditions for myrosinase, the enzyme that can degrade glucosinolates into its many metabolites [93,94]. Raw maca may be about 20% higher in glucosinolates compared with the gelatinized format [95], and storage of maca tubers in the Andean highlands for up to seven years has not been known to result in significant losses of glucosinolates (only a 9-12% loss) [52]. Therefore, manufacturing the product closer to when it is required would be a better practice due to the balance of the raw versus gelatinization issues that can arise.…”

Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca

“…Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects were reported in ten preclinical studies. In vitro studies were developed in human neutrophils ( Purnomo et al, 2021 ) and different models of inflammation in macrophages (RAW 264.7) ( Liu et al, 2021 ; Zou et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2023 ) and enterocytes (Caco-2) ( Chen et al, 2022 ). The anti-inflammatory activity of multiple fractions and components of maca ethanolic extract was evaluated, where the aqueous fractions of 75% methanol and n-hexane, and the compound macapirrolin A exhibited greater inhibition of superoxide anion and elastase ( Purnomo et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Among other compounds studied, lignan epipinoresinol and polysaccharides MC-1 and MC-2 were shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory factors such as IL-6 (82), TNF-α, IL-8 and INF-γ ( Chen et al, 2022 ), and increased the anti-inflammatory factor IL-1 ( Chen et al, 2022 ). In addition, a product of the hydrolysis of benzylglucosinolate (benzylisothiocyanate) and an extract of macamides presented considerable rates of nitric oxide inhibition ( Yan et al, 2022 ; Li et al, 2023 ), and the former compound was able to overcome the effect of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOSI) ( Yan et al, 2022 ).…”

“…In vitro studies in RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines ( Zhang et al, 2017b ; Yang et al, 2021 ) and tumor lines of leukemia HL-60, lung cancer A549, liver cancer SMMC-7221, colon cancer SW480, and breast cancer MCF-7 ( Fu et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2022 ) and 4T1 ( Yang et al, 2021 ) evaluated the effect of compounds isolated from maca. Lepipyrroline A, macamides (benzyloctadechenamide and benzyloctadecadienamide) and a benzylglucosinolate hydrolysis product (BITC) showed a considerable cytotoxic effect on the aforementioned cell lines ( Fu et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2022 ), which in some cases has come to match or exceed the effects of cisplatin, by administering lepipyrrolin A ( Liu et al, 2021 ) or BITC ( Yan et al, 2022 ), respectively. The MC-2 polysaccharide from maca induced differentiation to type 1 macrophages (M1), known for their proinflammatory activity, increasing the expression of proinflammatory markers (IL-6, iNOs).…”

“…The antioxidant effect was evaluated in six preclinical studies. In vitro studies were performed in direct trials ( Fu et al, 2021 ; Ibrahim et al, 2022 ; Yan et al, 2022 ) and in models of oxidative damage in hepatocytes (HEp-2) ( Zhang et al, 2017a ) or macrophages (RAW 264.7) ( Wang et al, 2018 ), with various maca preparations. Extracts of maca, macamides, macaenes and total glucosinolates had a capacity to capture free radicals ( Fu et al, 2021 ; Ibrahim et al, 2022 ; Yan et al, 2022 ) and a reducing power ( Fu et al, 2021 ; Yan et al, 2022 ) proportional to the dose ( Yan et al, 2022 ).…”