Effects of different varieties of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the effect of different varieties of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized (OVX) rats.


METHODS
36 female rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: sham and OVX rats treated with vehicle, estradiol (40 microg/kg), black, yellow or red maca (63 mg/ml) for 4 weeks. At the end of the treatment, uterine weight, femoral bone and lumbar vertebra histomorphology were assessed.


RESULTS
Ovariectomy reduced weight, diameter and width of the femoral bone. Estradiol, black and red maca treatment reduced the effect of ovariectomy on these variables. Histological analyses revealed that estradiol, black and red maca treatments reversed the effect of ovariectomy by increasing the trabecular bone area in the second lumbar vertebra. Uterine weight was reduced in OVX rats, and estradiol but neither black nor red maca increased uterine weight.


CONCLUSIONS
Red and black maca have protective effects on bone architecture in OVX rats without showing estrogenic effects on uterine weight.
Gonzales
Carla
C
Biological and Physiological Science Department, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. carla.gonzalez@upch.pe
Cárdenas-Valencia
Isaias
I
Leiva-Revilla
Johanna
J
Anza-Ramirez
Cecilia
C
Rubio
Julio
J
Gonzales
Gustavo F
GF
D000818:Animals; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D029686:Lepidium; D010052:Ovariectomy; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects
D010936:Plant Extracts; D004958:Estradiol