Maca Root and Ashwagandha extracts are synergisticly blended to support the body's natural process of creating healthy levels of progesterone and testosterone, while enhancing cognitive function and improving mood to bring about a happier more energized lifestyle.
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Ashwagandha: Widely used in Aurvedic Medicine, since ancient times, for a wide range of energy, health and pro-immunity effects. Helps create Lutinizing Hormone which tells the body to make testosterone and progesterone. Because of it's adaptogenic properties, Ashwagandha can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress while improving cognitive function and sleep.*
Maca Root Extract: Sometimes also referred to as Peruvian Ginseng, Maca has been an important traditional food and medicinal plant for about 2000 years. It is regarded as a highly nutritious, energy-imbuing food, that may enhance strength and endurance while supporting healthy feelings of love and desire. Ongoing research indicates the bioactivity of maca includes helping the body make progesterone and testosterone while blocking estrogen which in turn increases fertility, seminal fluid and stronger sperm.
Below, please find research articles and study abstracts that further detail the benefits of some of the active ingredients in Andeanessence.*
These studies have been sourced and linked to from online medical research sites. If you'd like to learn more, please click HERE and search by ingredient name.
Disclaimer: This section is for educational purposes only. There is no guarantee the product will have these same benefits for everyone. Individual results may vary.*
Maca Root for Sexual Dysfunction, Menopausal Symptoms and more
A systematic review of the versatile effects of the Peruvian Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii ) on sexual dysfunction, menopausal symptoms and related conditions
Under a Creative Commons license
Open access
Abstract
Background
The Lepidium meyenii plant also known as Peruvian Maca, originates from high altitudes in the Andes, it has a high nutritional content and is extensively used as an herbal supplement for conditions such as sexual dysfunction, semen quality and menopausal symptoms.
Objective
This systematic review was conducted to assess the effects of Maca on variety of conditions and not limited to sexual dysfunction, semen quality and menopausal symptoms.
Methods
An extensive systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2015. Three databases (PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar) in addition to patents were searched up to March 2021. The key criteria for inclusion were; (1) in vivo study (2) randomized controlled clinical trial; (3) subjects were given Maca regardless of the type, preparation and/or administration route; and (4) measurable clinical data on a physiological and/or psychological aspect were reported. Studies were categorised into human and animal model studies and were further grouped by the type and preparation of Maca, dose, duration and condition assessed. The studies were also assessed for risk of bias according to the Cochrane Collaborations tool. Studies were compared to ascertain whether a meta-analysis was feasible.
Results
A total of 57 studies, 14 clinical and 43 pre-clinical trials met the pre-defined criteria; although patent applications were searched none met the criteria. Nine different extraction methods of Maca were used with various coloured roots namely black, yellow and red roots or a mixture of all three. Different colour variations showed different effects thought to be due to the presence and/or concentration of secondary metabolites. Maca was reported to have an effect on conditions such as memory impairment, depression, bone structure, UV irradiations amongst others. Placebo and dose-dependant effects were observed in some studies. The overall quality of risk of bias was unclear due to insufficient information being published in addition to a high risk of reporting bias. Doses and durations varied, and an insufficient number of studies had further analysed whether these factors had an effect on the outcome made a meta-analysis unfeasible. Therefore, recommendations for future studies were discussed.
Conclusion
Evidence to date suggests that Maca root could be an effective treatment for a range of conditions with 55 out of 57 studies reporting an effect. Clinical trials with rigorous reporting and methods are warranted.
To read the full article with study paramaters and methods, please click on the linked title to be redirected.
Graphical abstract
Comprehensive Review of the Effects of Maca
Norka Ulloa Del Carpio 1, Diego Alvarado-Corella 2, Dante M Quiñones-Laveriano 3, Andrea Araya-Sibaja 4, José Vega-Baudrit 4, Maria Monagas-Juan 5, Mirtha Navarro-Hoyos 2, Martha Villar-López 1 6
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 38440178
- PMCID: PMC10910417
Abstract
Maca (Lepidium meyenii), a biennial herbaceous plant indigenous to the Andes Mountains, has a rich history of traditional use for its purported health benefits. Maca's chemical composition varies due to ecotypes, growth conditions, and post-harvest processing, contributing to its intricate phytochemical profile, including, macamides, macaenes, and glucosinolates, among other components. This review provides an in-depth revision and analysis of Maca's diverse bioactive metabolites, focusing on the pharmacological properties registered in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Maca is generally safe, with rare adverse effects, supported by preclinical studies revealing low toxicity and good human tolerance. Preclinical investigations highlight the benefits attributed to Maca compounds, including neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory properties, immunoregulation, and antioxidant effects. Maca has also shown potential for enhancing fertility, combating fatigue, and exhibiting potential antitumor properties. Maca's versatility extends to metabolic regulation, gastrointestinal health, cardio protection, antihypertensive activity, photoprotection, muscle growth, hepatoprotection, proangiogenic effects, antithrombotic properties, and antiallergic activity. Clinical studies, primarily focused on sexual health, indicate improved sexual desire, erectile function, and subjective wellbeing in men. Maca also shows promise in alleviating menopausal symptoms in women and enhancing physical performance. Further research is essential to uncover the mechanisms and clinical applications of Maca's unique bioactive metabolites, solidifying its place as a subject of growing scientific interest.
Keywords: Lepidium meyenii; clinical studies; glucosilonates; maca; macaenes; macamides; pharmacology; preclinical.
Copyright © 2024 Ulloa del Carpio, Alvarado-Corella, Quiñones-Laveriano, Araya-Sibaja, Vega-Baudrit, Monagas-Juan, Navarro-Hoyos and Villar-López.
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Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
References
- Alasmari M., Bӧhlke M., Kelley C., Maher T., Pino-Figueroa A. (2019). Inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) by macamides. Mol. Neurobiol. 56, 1770–1781. 10.1007/s12035-018-1115-8 - DOI - PubMed
- Alcalde A. M., Rabasa J. (2020). Does Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improve seminal quality? Andrologia 52, e13755. 10.1111/and.13755 - DOI - PubMed
- Alvarado A. T., Navarro C., Pineda M., Villanueva L., Muñoz A. M., Bendezú M. R., et al. (2022). Activity of Lepidium meyenii Walp (purple maca) in immunosuppressed Oryctolagus cuniculus (albino rabbits). Pharmacia 69, 501–507. 10.3897/pharmacia.69.e80033 - DOI
- Antoine E., Chirila S., Teodorescu C. (2019). A patented blend consisting of a combination of vitex agnus-castus extract, lepidium meyenii (maca) extract and active folate, a nutritional supplement for improving fertility in women. Maedica 14, 274–279. 10.26574/maedica.2019.14.3.274 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Bai N., He K., Roller M., Lai C.-S., Bai L., Pan M.-H. (2015). Flavonolignans and other constituents from Lepidium meyenii with activities in anti-inflammation and human cancer cell lines. J. Agric. Food Chem. 63, 2458–2463. 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b00219 - DOI - PubMed
Please read the full abstract for all study References.
Maca Evs to Ameliorate Depression
Rui Hong 1 2, Lan Luo 1, Liang Wang 3 4 5, Zhao-Li Hu 6, Qi-Rong Yin 2 7, Ming Li 1, Bin Gu 4, Bin Wang 7, Tao Zhuang 2, Xin-Yue Zhang 2, Yuan Zhou 1, Wan Wang 1, Lin-Yan Huang 1, Bing Gu 1 3, Su-Hua Qi 1 2
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 38867934
- PMCID: PMC10989901
- DOI: 10.1002/imt2.116
Erratum In
[No authors listed]Imeta. 2024 Dec 15;3(6):e259. doi: 10.1002/imt2.259. eCollection 2024 Dec.PMID: 39742306 Free PMC article.
Abstract
Depression is a common and debilitating condition for which effective treatments are needed. Lepidium meyenii Walp (Maca) is a plant with potential medicinal effects in treating depression. Recently, there has been growing interest in plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) due to their low toxicity and ability to transport to human cells. Targeting the gut-brain axis, a novel strategy for depression management, may be achieved through the use of Maca-derived EVs (Maca-EVs). In this study, we successfully isolated Maca-EVs using gradient ultracentrifugation and characterized their shape, size, and markers (CD63 and TSG101). The in vivo imaging showed that the Dil-labeled Maca-EVs crossed the brain-blood barrier and accumulated in the brain. The behavioral tests revealed that Maca-EVs dramatically recovered the depression-like behaviors of unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) mice. UCMS mice fecal were characterized by an elevated abundance of g_Enterococcus, g_Lactobacillus, and g_Escherichia_Shigella, which were significantly restored by administration of Maca-EVs. The effects of Maca-EVs on the altered microbial and fecal metabolites in UCMS mice were mapped to biotin, pyrimidine, and amino acid (tyrosine, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate) metabolisms, which were closely associated with the serotonin (5-HT) production. Maca-EVs were able to increase serum monoamine neurotransmitter levels in UCMS mice, with 5-HT showing the most significant changes. We further demonstrated that 5-HT improved the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a key regulator of neuronal plasticity, and its subsequent activation of TrkB/p-AKT signaling by regulating the GTP-Cdc42/ERK pathway. These findings suggest that Maca-EVs enhance 5-HT release, possibly by modulating the gut-brain axis, to improve depression behavior. Our study sheds light on a novel approach to depression treatment using plant-derived EVs.
Keywords: 5‐HT; Lepidium meyenii Walp‐derived extracellular vesicles; brain‐derived neurotrophic factor; depression; gut–brain axis; unpredictable chronic mild stress.
© 2023 The Authors. iMeta published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of iMeta Science.
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Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
Santomauro, Damian F. , Mantilla Herrera Ana M., Shadid Jamileh, Zheng Peng, Ashbaugh Charlie, Pigott David M., Abbafati Cristiana, et al. 2021. “Global Prevalence and Burden of Depressive and Anxiety Disorders in 204 Countries and Territories in 2020 Due to the COVID‐19 Pandemic.” The Lancet 398: 1700–12. 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02143-7 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Thompson, Scott M. , Kallarackal Angy J., Kvarta Mark D., Van Dyke Adam M., LeGates Tara A., and Cai Xiang. 2015. “An Excitatory Synapse Hypothesis of Depression.” Trends in Neurosciences 38: 279–94. 10.1016/j.tins.2015.03.003 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Yirmiya, Raz , Rimmerman Neta, and Reshef Ronen. 2015. “Depression as a Microglial Disease.” Trends in Neurosciences 38: 637–58. 10.1016/j.tins.2015.08.001 - DOI - PubMed
Hodes, Georgia E. , Kana Veronika, Menard Caroline, Merad Miriam, and Russo Scott J.. 2015. “Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Depression.” Nature Neuroscience 18: 1386–93. 10.1038/nn.4113 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Yohn, Christine N. , Gergues Mark M., and Samuels Benjamin Adam. 2017. “The Role of 5‐HT Receptors in Depression.” Molecular Brain 10: 28. 10.1186/s13041-017-0306-y - DOI - PMC - PubMed
Please read the full abstract for all study References.
Effects of Ashwagandha on Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Insomnia
Alex B Speers 1, Kadine A Cabey 2, Amala Soumyanath 1, Kirsten M Wright 1
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 34254920
- PMCID: PMC8762185
Abstract
Background: Withania somnifera (WS), also known as Ashwagandha, is commonly used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. WS has seen an increase in worldwide usage due to its reputation as an adaptogen. This popularity has elicited increased scientific study of its biological effects, including a potential application for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
Objective: This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of preclinical and clinical studies examining the neuropsychiatric effects of WS, specifically its application in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Methods: Reports of human trials and animal studies of WS were collected primarily from the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases.
Results: WS root and leaf extracts exhibited noteworthy anti-stress and anti-anxiety activity in animal and human studies. WS also improved symptoms of depression and insomnia, though fewer studies investigated these applications. WS may alleviate these conditions predominantly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axes, as well as through GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. While some studies link specific withanolide components to its neuropsychiatric benefits, there is evidence for the presence of additional, as yet unidentified, active compounds in WS.
Conclusion: While benefits were seen in the reviewed studies, significant variability in the WS extracts examined prevents a consensus on the optimum WS preparation or dosage for treating neuropsychiatric conditions. WS generally appears safe for human use; however, it will be important to investigate potential herb-drug interactions involving WS if used alongside pharmaceutical interventions. Further elucidation of active compounds of WS is also needed.
Keywords: Anxiety; Ashwagandha; Withania somnifera.; depression; insomnia; stress.
Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.
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References
- Balasubramani S.P., Venkatasubramanian P., Kukkupuni S.K., Patwardhan B. Plant-based Rasayana drugs from Ayurveda. Chin. J. Integr. Med. 2011;17(2):88–94. doi: 10.1007/s11655-011-0659-5. - DOI - PubMed
Panossian AG, Efferth T, Shikov AN, et al. 2021. - Doshi G.M., Une H.D., Shanbhag P.P. Rasayans and non-rasayans herbs: Future immunodrug - Targets. Pharmacogn. Rev. 2013;7(14):92–96. doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.120506. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
- Dar N.J. MuzamilAhmad. Neurodegenerative diseases and Withania somnifera (L.): An update. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2020;256:112769. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112769. - DOI - PubMed
- Tandon N., Yadav S.S. Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2020;255:112768. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112768. - DOI - PubMed
See Full Abstract for all 162 study references
Ashwagandha Supplementation for Anxiety and Stress
Camellia Akhgarjand 1, Farzaneh Asoudeh 2, Amir Bagheri 2, Zahra Kalantar 3, Zahra Vahabi 4 5, Sakineh Shab-Bidar 2, Hamid Rezvani 6, Kurosh Djafarian 1
Affiliations Expand
- PMID: 36017529
- DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7598
Abstract
Clinical trial studies revealed conflicting results on the effect of Ashwagandha extract on anxiety and stress. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Ashwagandha supplementation on anxiety as well as stress. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar from inception until December 2021. We included randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that investigate the effect of Ashwagandha extract on anxiety and stress. The overall effect size was pooled by random-effects model and the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) for outcomes were applied. Overall, 12 eligible papers with a total sample size of 1,002 participants and age range between 25 and 48 years were included in the current systematic review and meta-analysis. We found that Ashwagandha supplementation significantly reduced anxiety (SMD: -1.55, 95% CI: -2.37, -0.74; p = .005; I2 = 93.8%) and stress level (SMD: -1.75; 95% CI: -2.29, -1.22; p = .005; I2 = 83.1%) compared to the placebo. Additionally, the non-linear dose-response analysis indicated a favorable effect of Ashwagandha supplementation on anxiety until 12,000 mg/d and stress at dose of 300-600 mg/d. Finally, we identified that the certainty of the evidence was low for both outcomes. The current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of RCTs revealed a beneficial effect in both stress and anxiety following Ashwagandha supplementation. However, further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of the plant.
Keywords: Ashwagandha; anxiety; meta-analysis; stress; systematic review.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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REFERENCES
- Abedon, B., Auddy, B., Hazra, J., Mitra, A., & Ghosal, S. (2008). A standardized Withania somnifera extract significantly reduces stress-related parameters in chronically stressed humans: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Jana, 11, 51.
- Ahmed, R., Khan, N. A., Waseem, M., & Khan, Z. J. (2017). Holistic approach in the management of depression: A review. Journal of Integrated Community Health, 6, 10-14.
- Alramadhan, E., Hanna, M. S., Hanna, M. S., Goldstein, T. A., Avila, S. M., & Weeks, B. S. (2012). Dietary and botanical anxiolytics. Medical Science Monitor: International Medical Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research, 18(4), RA40-RA48.
- Andrade, C., Aswath, A., Chaturvedi, S., Srinivasa, M., & Raguram, R. (2000). A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy ff an ethanolic extract of Withania somnifera. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 42(3), 295-301.
- Bhatnagar, M., Sharma, D., & Salvi, M. (2009). Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera dunal: A possible mechanism. Neurochemical Research, 34(11), 1975-1983.
See Full Abstract for all 47 study references
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