Comparative Research on Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) from Lijiang and Peru

The weight-loading swimming assay, liver glycogen and serum urea nitrogen tests in mice were used to evaluate the alleviating physical fatigue effects of Lijiang and Peru Maca. The mouse mating assay, sperm quantity, survival rate and gonadal organ index tests were used to observe the improving sexual function between them. The acute toxicity test was used to evaluate the safety of two samples. The result showed that compared with the blank control group, Lijiang and Peru Maca can significantly increase the swimming time and the level of liver glycogen, as well as reduce the level of urea nitrogen in mice. Compared with the blank control group, Lijiang and Peru Maca can obviously improve the mating ability, sperm quantity and testis index in mice, but it has no obvious effect on sperm viability, seminal vesicles and Foreskin gland index. Compared with the Peru Maca group, there was no significant difference in the activity of anti-fatigue and improving sexual function. The acute toxicity test showed that the maximum dose of Lijiang and Peru Maca was 17.48g/kg. There was no toxicity or death after administration.