Effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats.


METHODS
Prostatic hyperplasia was induced in male rats with testosterone enanthate (TE). The study comprised six groups: one control group (group 1), one group treated with TE (group 2), two groups treated with TE and aqueous extract of red maca (groups 3 and 4), one group treated with hydroalcoholic extract of red maca (group 5) and one group treated with finasteride (0.1 mg, group 6). Differences in the aqueous extract dependent on the length of time of boiling, whether for 2 or 3 hours, for groups 3 and 4 was assessed. Extracts of red maca contained 0.1 mg of benzylglucosinolate. Thereafter, a dose-response effect of different doses of benzylglucosinolates (0.02-0.08 mg) in red maca extracts was assessed.


RESULTS
Prostate weight was similar in rats treated with freeze-dried aqueous extract of red maca prepared after 2 and 3 hours of boiling. Freeze-dried aqueous extract of red maca, hydroalcoholic extract of red maca and finasteride reduced prostate weight in rats with prostatic hyperplasia. No difference was observed between the data obtained from aqueous extract or hydroalcoholic extract of red maca. A dose dependent reduction of prostate weight was observed with the increase of the dose of benzylglucosinolates in red maca extracts.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study showed that hydroalcoholic or aqueous extract of red maca containing 0.1 mg of benzylglucosinolate can reduce prostate size in male rats in which prostatic hyperplasia had been induced by TE.
Gonzales
Gustavo F
GF
Biological and Physiological Sciences, Cayetano Heredia University, Lima, Peru. iiad@upch.edu.pe
Vasquez
Vanessa
V
Rodriguez
Daniella
D
Maldonado
Carmen
C
Mormontoy
Juliet
J
Portella
Jimmy
J
Pajuelo
Monica
M
Villegas
León
L
Gasco
Manuel
M
D000438:Alcohols; D000818:Animals; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D029686:Lepidium; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D013863:Thioglucosides / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D014867:Water
D000438:Alcohols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013861:Thiocyanates; D013863:Thioglucosides; C408882:benzylglucosinolic acid; D014867:Water; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride; C004648:testosterone enanthate