Mac8.5

Maca Research

40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10

Pharmacological treatment of antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

de Aquino ACQ et al. • Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) (2025)

Bupropion SR 150 mg/b.i.d. is the most effective pharmacological treatment for AISD in women, though the evidence quality is low.

Bupropion SR 150 mg/b.i.d. showed improvements in three sexual function domains: desire (1.74 [1.03, 2.44], p = 0.00001), arousal (1.30 [1.16, 1.43], p = 0.00001), and orgasm (1.90 [1.78, 2.02], p = 0.00001) compared to placebo.
However, it did not improve depressive symptoms (0.46 [-0.71, 1.63], p = 0.44).
Bupropion SR 150 mg/b.i.d. is the most effective pharmacological treatment for AISD in women, though the evidence quality is low.

Meta-Analysisn=859

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Pathogenesis of histologic variations of appendiceal mucinous neoplasms

Sugarbaker PH et al. • European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology (2023)

The estimated survival of these four histologic subtypes in patients having a complete CRS plus HIPEC is of value to the oncologist managing these patients.

The estimated survival of these four histologic subtypes in patients having a complete CRS plus HIPEC is of value to the oncologist managing these patients.
A mutations and perforations hypothesis was offered in an attempt to explain the broad spectrum of mucinous appendiceal neoplasms that exist.
Inclusion of MACA-Int and MACA-LN as standalone subtypes was thought to be necessary.

Systematic Reviewn=685

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Lymph node positive pseudomyxoma peritonei

Sugarbaker PH et al. • European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology (2022)

Long-term survival is unusual but occasionally seen in this group of patients.

From a prospectively maintained database of 685 patients with a complete cytoreduction of a mucinous appendiceal neoplasm with peritoneal dissemination, 39 patients (5.6%) had lymph node metastases at the time of primary diagnosis.
Histologically, 6 of these patients (15.4%) had an appendiceal mucinous neoplasm - Intermediate type (MACA-Int).
The 7 patients (17.9%) who had a complete or near complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to definite cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showed prolonged survival (HR 4.8 (1.1, 20.5) p = 0.0323).

Systematic Reviewn=685

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Root Canal Morphology and Configuration of the Mandibular Canine: A Systematic Review

Wolf TG et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2021)

Most systematic review reports confirm that two-rooted MaCa are found considerably less frequently than single-rooted ones.

Most MaCa were single-rooted (87.9-100%), while two-rooted MaCa were present up to 12.1%.
The 1-1-1/1 (35.8-96.4%) was the most commonly reported RCC, followed by 2-2-1/1 (0.2-22.0%) and 1-2-1/1 (0.9-20.0%).
A high frequency of 1-1-1/1 RCC in MaCa has been described.

Systematic Reviewn=910

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Superfoods in Drug Discovery: Nutrient Profiles and their Emerging Health Benefits

Mittal RK et al. • Current drug discovery technologies (2025)

Superfoods prevent chronic illnesses and improve health.

Superfoods prevent chronic illnesses and improve health.
This review discusses the nutritional content and health advantages of superfoods, which may encourage their consumption.
More research is needed to promote global health and wellness using superfoods.

Systematic Review

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Effects of superfoods on risk factors of metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of human intervention trials

van den Driessche JJ et al. • Food & function (2018)

Furthermore, conclusions may be different if other health benefits are considered.

Overall, only limited evidence was found for the effects of the foods described as superfoods on metabolic syndrome parameters, since results were not consistent or the number of controlled intervention trials was limited.
The inconsistencies might have been related to intervention-related factors, such as duration or dose.
Furthermore, conclusions may be different if other health benefits are considered.

Systematic Reviewn=113

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Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on Physical Performance in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Huerta Ojeda Á et al. • Nutrients (2024)

The phytochemical compounds of LmW, mainly macamides, increase physical performance, showing a greater effect at higher doses (dose-response effect).

They revealed a large effect for all outcomes (SMD: FST = 2.26, RRT = 6.26, GST = 5.23, LA = -1.01, and BLA = -1.70).
The phytochemical compounds of LmW, mainly macamides, increase physical performance, showing a greater effect at higher doses (dose-response effect).
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysis

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The effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) root on sexual function: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shin BC et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2018)

Maca supplementation significantly improved subjective sexual desire compared to placebo in pooled analysis.

Significant improvement in self-reported sexual desire across 4 RCTs (SMD 0.67, p<0.01)
No significant effect on serum testosterone, estradiol, or other reproductive hormones
Effective dose range 1.5-3g/day with effects appearing after 6-8 weeks of use

Meta-Analysisn=197

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Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: a systematic review

Lee MS et al. • Maturitas (2011)

Preliminary evidence suggests maca may alleviate menopausal symptoms, but quality of existing trials is limited.

Maca showed promising effects on menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and mood
Sexual dysfunction improved in menopausal women across available trials
Evidence limited by small sample sizes and methodological concerns in existing RCTs

Systematic Reviewn=202

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A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca)

Chen R et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)

Nevertheless, due to individual differences and limitations of the subjects, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of the plant.

Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources.
We reviewed the study in the visible distribution of amino acids, amide alkaloids, imidazolium alkaloids, and saccharides in Maca by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS).
We also reviewed the pharmacology value associated with improvement of reproductive function, anti-stress response, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor activity, clinical research and toxicity of Maca, and so forth.

Systematic Review

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Bioactive Compounds from Plants Used in Peruvian Traditional Medicine

Lock O et al. • Natural product communications (2016)

For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.

It is estimated that there are as many as 1400 plant species currently used in traditional Peruvian medicine; however, only a few have undergone scientific investigation.
In this paper, we make a review of the botanical, chemical, pharmacological and clinical propierties of the most investigated Peruvian medicinal plants.
For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.

Systematic Review

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Copper Utilization, Regulation, and Acquisition by Aspergillus fumigatus

Raffa N et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2019)

Considering that the host uses copper as a microbial toxin and copper availability fluctuates in various environmental niches, understanding how A. fumigatus maintains copper homeostasis will give insights into mechanisms that facilitate the development of invasive aspergillosis and its survival in nature.

Copper-responsive transcription factors, AceA and MacA, coordinate a complex network responsible for responding to copper in the environment and determining which response is necessary to maintain homeostasis.
For example, A. fumigatus uses copper exporters to mitigate the toxic effects of copper while simultaneously encoding copper importers and small molecules to ensure proper supply of the metal for copper-dependent processes such a nitrogen acquisition and respiration.
Small molecules called isocyanides recently found to be produced by A. fumigatus may bind copper and partake in copper homeostasis similarly to isocyanide copper chelators in bacteria.

Systematic Review

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Polyphenols and Sunburn

Saric S et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2016)

However, current studies are limited and further research is necessary to evaluate the efficacy, mechanism of action, and potential side effects of various forms and concentrations of polyphenols.

Polyphenol sources included the following plant origins: green tea, white tea, cocoa, Romanian propolis (RP), Calluna vulgaris (Cv), grape seeds, honeybush, and Lepidium meyenii (maca).
Eight studies examined green tea.
Overall, based on the studies, there is evidence that polyphenols in both oral and topical form may provide protection from UV damage and sunburn, and thus are beneficial to skin health.

Systematic Reviewn=27

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Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): a review

da Silva Leitão Peres N et al. • Food & function (2020)

This review documents the Peruvian maca composition and the recent findings regarding the medicinal effects of this root in sexual dysfunction regulation, neuroprotective effects, action in memory enhancement, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, and skin protection.

Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root native to the Andean region, cultivated for at least 2000 years.
Maca is rich in fiber, a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron, and calcium.
Besides these essential nutrients, this root contains bioactive compounds responsible for benefits to the human body, which has caused a considerable increase in its consumption in the last 20 years worldwide.

Systematic Review

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Chemical composition and health effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Wang S et al. • Food chemistry (2019)

Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of...

Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of maca-based products.
However, clinical studies to support the claimed health effects of maca and related mechanisms appear to be lacking.
Product innovation and diversification in food and non-food utilization of different parts of maca to maximize the value perceptions are suggested.

Systematic Review

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Beyond tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.): The effects of phytotherapics on testosterone, sperm and prostate parameters

Santos HO et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2019)

Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters.

Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters.
Despite inconclusive evidence for use of tribulus as a T booster, it may provide advantageous effects on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility.
Nutraceutical strategies and some phytotherapics may also be effective to promote prostate health.

Systematic Review

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Maca polysaccharides: A review of compositions, isolation, therapeutics and prospects

Li Y et al. • International journal of biological macromolecules (2018)

Maca polysaccharides, some of the major bioactive substances in Lepidium meyenii (Walp.) (Maca), have various biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, and immunomodu...

Maca polysaccharides, some of the major bioactive substances in Lepidium meyenii (Walp.) (Maca), have various biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as hepatoprotective activity and regulation function.
Although many therapeutics depend on multiple structures of maca polysaccharides in addition to providing sufficient foundations for maca polysaccharide products in industrial applications, the relationships between the pharmacological effects and structures have not been established.
Therefore, this article summarizes the extraction and purification methods, compositions, pharmacological effects, prospects and industrial applications of maca polysaccharides.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V.

Systematic Review

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Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?

Beharry S et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2018)

To date, the health claims of maca cannot be fully supported from a scientific standpoint and more research is needed.

To date, the health claims of maca cannot be fully supported from a scientific standpoint and more research is needed.
It appears that the indigenous local knowledge about the health benefits of maca has been dragged out of context to fit the demands of a growing market for herbal remedies.
This globalisation (or hype esp. in China) also has had serious consequences for the local producers in Peru.

Systematic Review

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Radical appendectomy as an alternative to right colon resection in patients with epithelial appendiceal neoplasms

González-Moreno S et al. • Surgical oncology (2017)

When a malignancy exists as the cause of appendiceal pathology, the radical appendectomy will provide the maximal amount of information required for optimal decisions regarding patient management.

When a malignancy exists as the cause of appendiceal pathology, the radical appendectomy will provide the maximal amount of information required for optimal decisions regarding patient management.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

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The use of maca (Lepidium meyenii) to improve semen quality: A systematic review

Lee MS et al. • Maturitas (2016)

The results of our systematic review provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of maca in improving semen quality.

The results of our systematic review provide suggestive evidence for the effectiveness of maca in improving semen quality.
However, the total number of trials, the total sample size, and the risk of bias of the included studies prevent the drawing firm conclusions.
More rigorous studies are warranted.

Systematic Review

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