2008•Zhongguo xin yao zazhiRequires access
Effect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii on serum hormone and blood lipid levels in ovariectomized rats
Mingzhang Ao
Open publisher page 2 citations
Abstract
Objective:To determine the effect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii(Maca) on serum hormone and blood lipid levels in ovariectomized rats.Methods: The ovariectomized rats were used as a model of menopause syndrome.Sham-operated and ovariectomized rats were fed with equivolume of 0.1% tween-80 as the control,and the remaining ovariectomized rats were orally administrated with extract of Maca at 1.25 and 0.5g·kg-1(in terms of powder),or diethylstilbestrol 0.05mg·kg-1,once daily for 7 months.Serum levels of estradiol(E2),testosterone(T) and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and blood lipid levels were measured in 3rd and 7th month after administration.Results: Compared with the ovariectomized control rats,the serum FSH level decreased remarkably(P0.01) after treated with 1.25 and 0.5g·kg-1 of Maca ethanol extract,the serum E2 level increased(P0.01) with 0.5g·kg-1,but the serum T level did not change at the end of 7th month after administration.Also,Maca extract definitely decreased serum cholesterol,while increased serum triglyceride level in 3rd month but decreased the level at the end of the administration.Conclusions:Maca extract definitely improves endocrine disturbance after ovariectomy in rats.