Andrologia. 2009 Apr;41(2):95-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2008.00892.x.
- 1
- Department of Urology, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy. t.zenico@ausl.fo.it
Abstract
Lepidium meyenii (Maca)
is a cultivated root belonging to the brassica family used in the
Andean region for its supposed aphrodisiac properties. We carried out a
double-blind clinical trial on 50 Caucasian men affected by mild
erectile dysfunction (ED), randomised to treatment with Maca dry extract, 2400 mg, or placebo. The treatment effect
on ED and subjective well-being was tested administrating before and
after 12 weeks the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and
the Satisfaction Profile (SAT-P). After 12 weeks of treatment, both Maca-
and placebo-treated patients experienced a significant increase in
IIEF-5 score (P < 0.05 for both). However, patients taking Maca experienced a more significant increase than those taking placebo (1.6 +/- 1.1 versus 0.5 +/- 0.6, P < 0.001). Both Maca- and placebo-treated subjects experienced a significant improvement in psychological performance-related SAT-P score, but the Maca group higher than that of placebo group (+9 +/- 6 versus +6 +/- 5, P < 0.05). However, only Maca-treated patients experienced a significant improvement in physical
and social performance-related SAT-P score compared with the baseline
(+7 +/- 6 and +7 +/- 6, both P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data
support a small but significant effect of Maca supplementation on subjective perception of general and sexual well-being in adult patients with mild ED.