Effect of ethanolic extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp on serum hormone levels in ovariectomized rats |
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Authors: | Yongzhong Zhang Longjiang Yu Wenwen Jin Mingzhang Ao |
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Institution: | Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China;1.School of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China |
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Abstract: | Objective:To evaluate the effect of long-term ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on serum hormone levels in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and compare them with the effect of diethylstilbestrol.Materials and Methods:Fifty female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized or sham operated. Both sham and OVX control groups (n = 10, respectively) received the vehicle. The remaining OVX rats were oral administrated with ethanol extract of Maca (0.096, or 0.24g/kg; n = 10, respectively) and diethylstilbestrol (0.05 mg/kg; n = 10). The treatment continued for 28 weeks. At week 12 and week 28, the blood of rats was collected and serum hormone levels, including estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results:At week 12, the levels of serum E2 were slightly higher in Maca groups than that in OVX group; T levels were significantly decreased; and FSH levels were advanced slightly in Maca groups than that in sham group. After 28 weeks administration, serum E2 levels in Maca-treated animals did not differ significantly from sham control, the low dose of Maca increased serum E2 levels, and Maca prevented increase in serum FSH levels compared with OVX group.Conclusions:Long-term Maca supply modulates endocrine hormone balance in OVX rats, especially it decreases enhanced FSH levels. It is proposed that Maca may become a potential choice for postmenopausal women.KEY WORDS: Lepidium meyenii, maca, ovariectomized rats, serum hormone |
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