An analysis method has been established to test 27 elements (Li, Be, B, Mg, Al, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Sr, Mo, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, La, Hg, Pb, Bi) in Maca nationality's medicine with microwave digestion-ICP-MS. Sample solutions were analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion, and the contents of elements were calculated according to their calibration curves, and internal standard method was adopted to reduce matrix effect and other interference effects. The experimental results showed that the linear relations of all the elements were very good; the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.9994-1.0000 (Hg was 0.9982) ; the limits of detection were 0.003-2.662 microg x L(-1); the relative standard deviations for all elements of reproducibility were lower than 5% (except the individual elements); the recovery rate were 78.5%-123.7% with RSD lower than 5% ( except the individual elements). The analytical results of standard material showed acceptable agreement with the certified values. This method was applicable to determinate the contents of multi-elements in Maca which had a high sensitivity, good specificity and good repeatability, and provide basis for the quality control of Maca.
Lepidium ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; methods ; Microwaves ; Reproducibility of Results ; Trace Elements ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

To control the quality of Maca, the quality standard was established in this study. According to the methods recorded in the Appendix of Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 Edition), the water, extract, total ash, acid insoluble substance, and heavy metals inspections in Lepidium meyenii were carried out. N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide in L. meyenii was identified by TLC, and it was determined by HPLC. The results showed that the N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide identification of TLC was a strong mark and specificity. In content determination experiment, the linearity of N-benzyl-9Z, 12Z-octadecadienamide was in the range of 0.01-2 microg (r = 0.9998), and the average recovery (n=9) was 99.27% (RSD 2.0%). The methods were simple, accurate, with good reproducibility. It is suitable for quality control L. meyenii.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; methods ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry

To study the chemical constituents of Lepidium meyenii, the air-dried rhizome of L. meyenii was extracted with 70% EtOH. The extract was condensed to a small amount of volume and extracted with petroleum ether, EtOAc and n-BuOH, successively. The compounds were isolated and purified by column chromatography, and identified based on spectral analyses (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HRESIMS). Eighteen compounds were isolated from L. meyenii, including 7 alkaloids and 4 fatty acids and 7 other compounds. They were characterized as (3-hydroxybenzyl) carbamic acid(1), phenylmethanamine(2), N-benzylformamide (3), N-benzylacetamide (4), pyridin-4-ylmethanamine(5), n-(4-methoxybenzyl) aniline(6), uracil(7), succininc acid(8), decanedioic acid(9), n-hexa- decanoic acid methyl ester(10), heptanoic acid(11), solerole(12), pyromucic acid methyl ester(13), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancar- boxadehyde(14), 5-(methoxymethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde(15), 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3, 4-trimethoxyxanthone (16), 1,7-di- hydroxy-3,4- dimethoxy-xanthone(17), (+)-pinoresinol(18). Meanwhile, compounds 1-18 were obtained from L. neyenii for the first time.
Lepidium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Maca as one of the star products in the international health care market in recent years, had a wide range of application value and promoted to all over the world. However, the basic research of Maca was not deep, lack of systematic and clear efficacy studies. Market products hype its aphrodisiac effect, which greatly impact more systematic in-depth research and exploration. Therefore, this paper briefly summarizes advance research in recent years including the status quo of the resources, growth cultivation, phytochemical, pharmacological effect and other aspects, which can provide reference for rational development and utilization of Maca.
Animals ; Biomedical Research ; Humans ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; classification ; growth & development ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; pharmacology

The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The content of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) which as the enzymatic hydrolysis product of benzyl glucosinolate through thioglucosidase was determined by HPLC. The chromatography condition was as follows: Kaseisorb LC ODS 2000 (4.6 mm x 150 mm, 5 min) column with the mobile phase of acetonitrile(A)-water( B) under gradient elution (0-5 min, 3%-8% A; 5-9 min, 8%-48% A; 9-23 min, 48%-62% A; 23-28 min, 62%-99% A); the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) with 10 microL injection volume; detection wavelength was 246 nm and temperature of column was 40 degrees C. The content of benzyl glucosinolate was in the range of 10.76-17.91 g x L(-1). The method is simple, accurate and good reproducibility which can be used for the determination of benzyl glucosinolate in Lepidium meyenii, effectively.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Glucosinolates ; analysis ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI) is a novel technique for in-situ distribution of various substances in tissue without labeling. This technique is increasingly applied to the study of medicinal plants owing to its high spatial resolution and its potential of in-situ analysis in small molecules. In this study, the structural information and their fragmentation patterns of the midazole alkaloids(1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolium chloride and 1,3-dibenzyl-2,4,5-trimethylimi-dazolium chloride) and benzylglucosinolate in the medicinal plant Maca(Lepdium meyeni) root were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid phase combined with LTQ-Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UHPLC-HR-MS). The localization of these active ingredients in the cross-sections of Maca root was performed by MALDI-MSI. These results demonstrated that the two types of imidazole alkaloids had a similar distributed pattern. They were located more in the cortex and the periderm than those in the medulla of a lateral root, while the localization of benzylglucosinolate was concentrated in the center of the root rather than in the cortex and the periderm. The precise spatial distribution of various secondary metabolites in tissue provides an important scientific basis for the accumulation of medicinal plant active ingredients in tissues. In addition, this imaging method is a promising technique for the rapid evaluation and identification of the active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine in plant tissues, as well as assisting the research on the processing of medicinal plants.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Lepidium/chemistry* ; Phytochemicals/analysis* ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Secondary Metabolism ; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization

"Tinglizi", the ripe seed of Descurainia sophia and Lepidium apetalum, is a member of Brassicaceae (Cruciferae). Traditionally, the former is called "Nantinglizi" (Descurainiae Semen) while the latter is called "Beitinglizi" (Lepidii Semen). In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, it has the power to purge lung-fire, relieve dyspnea, promote diuresis and reduce edema, and it is mainly indicated in a case with phlegm-fluid accumulation, cough with excessive sputum, dyspnea with being unable to lie, and general swelling. In view of its wide-spread application in clinic, a comprehensive review of Lepidii Semen and Descurainiae Semen was conducted from the following aspects: herbalogical study, variety identification, historical evolution of processing, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, quantitative determination and toxicity which could provide reference for further research and development of "Tinglizi".
Brassicaceae ; chemistry ; Diuresis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Dyspnea ; drug therapy ; Edema ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Lung ; drug effects ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; Seeds ; chemistry

AIMTo evaluate the effect of the alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on the spermatogenesis in male rats.

METHODSIn Holtzman rats, Maca alcoholic extract (5 %) was given by oral route at doses of 48 mg/day or 96 mg/day for 7 days, 14 days and 21 days. Testicular function was assessed by measurements of lengths of different stages of seminiferous epithelia and by epididymal sperm count.

RESULTSEthanolic extract of Maca increased the length of stages IX-XI of seminiferous epithelium at treatment day 7, day 14 and day 21. Progression of spermatogenesis was evident only after day 21 when lengths of stages XII-XIV of seminiferous epithelium were increased; at day 7 and day 14, no important change in spermatogenesis was observed. Epididymal sperm count was increased with 48 mg/day at all times. With 96 mg/day an increase in sperm count was observed at day 7, but it was reduced at day 14 and day 21 of treatment. Serum testosterone levels were not affected.

CONCLUSIONThe alcoholic extract of Maca activates onset ant progression of spermatogenesis at 48 mg/day or 96 mg/day in rats.

Animals ; Epididymis ; cytology ; Ethanol ; Lepidium ; chemistry ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Seminiferous Epithelium ; anatomy & histology ; drug effects ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Testis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Testosterone ; blood

The aim of this paper was to study the effect of Lepidium meyenii(Maca) on cyclic nucleotides, neurotransmitter levels and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immunization of deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat syndrome rats, in order to explore the cold and hot medicinal properties of Maca. SD rats were divided into blank group, deficiency-cold syndrome group, Cinnamomi Cortex of deficiency-cold syndrome(30 g·kg~(-1)) group, high and low-dose Maca groups(2.4, 1.2 g·kg~(-1)), deficiency-heat syndrome group, Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex(PCC) of deficiency-heat syndrome(5 g·kg~(-1)), and high and low-dose Maca groups(2.4, 1.2 g·kg~(-1)). The rats were treated with intramuscular injection of hydrocortisone(20 mg·kg~(-1)) or dexamethasone sodium phosphate(0.35 mg·kg~(-1)) for 21 days to set up the deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat model. The levels of cAMP, cGMP, NE, DA, 5-HT, CRH, ACTH, CORT and IgM, IgG, C3, C4 were detected by radio immunoassay. Both the high-dose Maca group and the low-dose Maca group can significantly improve the overall state and body weight of rats with deficiency-cold syndrome(P<0.01, P<0.05), significantly increasing cAMP, cAMP/cGMP, NE, DA, ACTH(P<0.01, P<0.001), and significantly decreasing 5-HT(P<0.01, P<0.001). However, high-dose and low-dose Maca groups could not improve the deficiency-heat syndrome, and the levels of cAMP, cGMP, cAMP/cGMP, NE, DA, 5-HT and ACTH were not statistically significant. Maca had a significant regulatory effect on CORT, IgM, IgG and C3 content of rats with deficiency-cold and deficiency-heat syndrome(P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001). Maca showed the same effect with Cinnamomi Cortex in adjusting the levels of deficiency-cold rats, but in opposition to Phellodendri Chinese Cortex. This paper confirmed that Maca was slightly warm based on its effect on cyclic nucleotide levels and neuro-endocrine-immune networks by the pharmacological experimental method.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Endocrine System/drug effects* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; Immune System/drug effects* ; Lepidium/chemistry* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Nervous System/drug effects* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nucleotides, Cyclic ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Temperature

Essential oils of the resins of Pinus brutia and Pinus pinea were evaluated for their biological potential. Essential oils were characterized using GC-MS and GC/FID. in vitro antimicrobial, phytotoxic, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities were carried out using the direct contact and the fumigant assays, respectively. The chemical profile of the essential oils of the resins of P. pinea and P. brutia included mainly α-pinene (21.39% and 25.40%), β-pinene (9.68% and 9.69%), and caryophyllene (9.12% and 4.81%). The essential oils of P. pinea and P. brutia exerted notable antimicrobial activities on Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtilis, insecticidal activities on Ephestia kuehniella eggs, phytotoxic activities on Lactuca sativa, Lepidium sativum, and Portulaca oleracea, as well as antioxidant potential. Indications of the biological activities of the essential oils suggest their use in the formulation of ecofriendly and biocompatible pharmaceuticals.
Animals ; Anti-Infective Agents ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Bacillus subtilis ; drug effects ; Bicyclic Monoterpenes ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Insecta ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Lepidium ; drug effects ; Lettuce ; drug effects ; Mediterranean Region ; Micrococcus luteus ; drug effects ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Oils, Volatile ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Pinus ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Oils ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes ; Portulaca ; drug effects ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Terpenes ; analysis ; pharmacology