Subjective effects ofLepidium meyenii(Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial

Abstract

Lepidium meyenii (Maca) is a cultivated root belonging to the brassica family used in the Andean region for its supposed aphrodisiac properties. We carried out a double-blind clinical trial on 50 Caucasian men affected by mild erectile dysfunction (ED), randomised to treatment with Maca dry extract, 2400 mg, or placebo. The treatment effect on ED and subjective well-being was tested administrating before and after 12 weeks the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P). After 12 weeks of treatment, both Maca- and placebo-treated patients experienced a significant increase in IIEF-5 score (P < 0.05 for both). However, patients taking Maca experienced a more significant increase than those taking placebo (1.6 +/- 1.1 versus 0.5 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001). Both Maca- and placebo-treated subjects experienced a significant improvement in psychological performance-related SAT-P score, but the Maca group higher than that of placebo group (+9 +/- 6 versus +6 +/- 5, P < 0.05). However, only Maca-treated patients experienced a significant improvement in physical and social performance-related SAT-P score compared with the baseline (+7 +/- 6 and +7 +/- 6, both P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data support a small but significant effect of Maca supplementation on subjective perception of general and sexual well-being in adult patients with mild ED.

Effects of Korean ginseng berry extract on sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study

“…SKGB exhibited an improvement that was comparable with well-known supplements, such as Lepidium Meyenii (Maca) and Pyconogenol, that have similar or high IIEF-5 score (1.6 and 1.1, respectively). 29,30 Further, A run-in phase (period) is very useful to screen potential subjects for adherence and placebo response. Although we tried to screen out the subjects with inclusion/exclusion criteria as well as detailed interviews, we did not have a run-in phase in this clinical trial.…”

Editorial

“…Así, es sumamente conocida como elemento alimenticio y de la medicina tradicional peruana. Se le ha asignado resultados beneficiosos en la fertilidad (1) , disfunción sexual (2,3) , disfunción eréctil (4) , reducción del tamaño de la próstata (5) , bienestar, memoria (6) , entre otros, aunque la evidencia es limitada (7) . En el trabajo de nuestros investigadores, la administración de harina de maca amarilla a animales diabéticos mejoró el metabolismo de la glucosa al regular la glicemia y elevar los niveles de insulina.…”

Efecto de la Maca Peruana (Lepidium meyenii) y de la Melatonina Sobre el Desarrollo Testicular del Ratón Expuesto a Hipoxia Hipobárica Continua

“…Estudios clínicos han demostrado que la maca es eficaz en la disfunción eréctil (Zenico et al, 2009;Gonzales) e incrementa el recuento de espermatozoides y su motilidad (Gonzales). La maca se utiliza como tratamiento en la astenozospermia y oligozospermia, aumentando el volumen de semen, y el número y la motilidad de espermatozoides.…”