Maca Bolic™

Maca Bolic™ — (tonic) — This formula is an energizing tonic and metabolic catalyst. 1-4, 6-15 It is naturally rich in bio-active phyto-sterols. 1,5,7,10-12,15 It is especially rich in alkaloids shown to enhance endocrine function, increase endurance levels, and increase sexual potency in both males and females. 1-3, 5-7 It also has anti-aging, and antioxidant properties, helps with fat metabolism and improves mood. 1-3, 7-9,13,14

1. Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Valentova K, Ulrichova J.
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, Olomouc, 77515, Czech Republic.

3. “The Impact of Maca Root Extract on Libido, Sexual Function and General Energy Level on Men with Diagnosed Prostate Cancer” An Anecdotal Trial Recap
The Prostate Awareness Foundation, January 2005 (San Francisco, CA).

5. Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice.
Oshima M, Gu Y.
PMID: 14967943 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6. Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats.
Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, Scarpetta G, Bertolini A.

7. Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps, a prized folk medicine.
Ng TB, Wang HX.
PMID: 16354395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Comparison of protective effects between cultured Cordyceps militaris and natural Cordyceps sinensis against oxidative damage.
Yu HM, Wang BS, Huang SC, Duh PD.
PMID: 16608242 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9. An experimental study on anti-aging action of Cordyceps extract [Article in Chinese]
Wang YH, Ye J, Li CL, Cai SQ, Ishizaki M, Katada M.
PMID: 15506292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11. Pregnane glycosides from Hemidesmus indicus.
Deepak D, Srivastava S, Khare A.
Department of Chemistry, University of Lucknow, India.
PMID: 8983217 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

14. In vitro antioxidant and antithrombotic activity of Hemidesmus indicus
Mary NK, Achuthan CR, Babu BH, Padikkala J.
Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amala Nagar, Thrissur, Kerala 680 553, India. jpadikkala@rediffmail.com. (L) R.Br. J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Aug;87(2-3):187-91
PMID: 12860306 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Jamaican Sarsparilla ‘Smilax officinalis’

15. Steroidal saponins from Smilax officinalis.
Bernardo RR, Pinto AV, Parente JP.
Nucleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Phytochemistry. 1996 Sep;43(2):465-9
PMID: 8862038 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

1. Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention of chronic diseases.
Valentova K, Ulrichova J.
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Hnevotinska 3, Olomouc, 775 15, Czech Republic.
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.
Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) and Lepidium meyenii (maca) were the traditional crops of the original population of Peru where they are also still used in folk medicine. These plants are little known in Europe and Northern America although at least yacon can be cultivated in the climatic conditions of these regions. This article deals with the botany and the composition, the structure of main constituents, biological activity of these plants and the cultivation of yacon in the Czech Republic. The potential of yacon tubers to treat hyperglycemia, kidney problems and for skin rejuvenation and the antihyperglycemic and cytoprotective activity of its leaves seems to be related mostly to its oligofructan and phenolic content, respectively. Maca alkaloids, steroids, glucosinolates, isothicyanates and macamides are probably responsible for its aptitude to act as a fertility enhancer, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, immunostimulant, anabolic and to influence hormonal balance. Yacon and maca are already on the European market as prospective functional foods and dietary supplements, mainly for use in certain risk groups of the population, e.g. seniors, diabetics, postmenopausal women etc.

2. Lepidium peruvianum chacon restores homeostasis impaired by restraint stress.
Lopez-Fando A, Gomez-Serranillos MP, Iglesias I, Lock O, Upamayta UP, Carretero ME.
Dpto Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain. Phytother Res. 2004 Jun;18(6):471-4
Lepidium peruvianum root has been traditionally utilized by native Peruvians, since before the time of the Incas, for both nutritional and putative medicinal purposes as an adaptogen and also to enhance fertility in humans and animals. The present research was conducted to evaluate the anti-stress activity of the methanolic extract of Lepidium peruvianum. The drug is capable of attenuating or even eliminating variations in homeostasis produced by stress since it reduces or abolishes stress-induced ulcers, elevated corticosterone levels, the reduction of glucose and the increase in the weight of adrenal glands produced by stress. It also eliminates the decrease in free fatty-acids (FFA) in plasma produced by stress and we obtain a positive result in the forced-swimming test. Thus, it did not appear to affect restraint stress-induced immunosuppression.
PMID: 15287072 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

3. “The Impact of Maca Root Extract on Libido, Sexual Function and General Energy Level on Men with Diagnosed Prostate Cancer” An Anecdotal Trial Recap
January 2005 (San Francisco, CA) The Prostate Awareness Foundation
BACKGROUND: Ten members of the Prostate Awareness Foundation (PAF) with diagnosed prostate cancer recently underwent a three month trial of a Peruvian root known as maca to evaluate it’s effect.
Maca root has a long history of usage in the high Andes of South America, both as a sexual and general endurance enhancer. Inca royalty once felt it was such a powerful botanical that it’s use was a privilege reserved for the nobility. Maca is a root in the radish family and only grows at elevations above 10,000’.
Maca is once again gaining recognition among health professionals, especially in Latin America for its use as an endocrine modulator. Most literature available on the subject is in reference to the use of maca as an endocrine modulator for women dealing with menopausal problems. There have been no studies on the efficacy of maca for men dealing with prostate health concerns.
The product for the Prostate Awareness Foundation trial was supplied free of charge, by Herbs America in Murphy, Oregon. They can be reached at 541-846-6222.
PAF decided to conduct this small anecdotal trial based on reports from members around the country that were reporting encouraging effects from maca. Specifically, some men on ADT therapy, a pharmaceutical blocking of the bodies ability to produce testosterone, which slows the growth of prostate cancer, who should not have a libido or erection were reporting full sexual function and sexual interest.
THE TRIAL:
The goal of the anecdotal trial was to determine if the regular use of maca root extract would have an effect on PSA levels, libido, sexual function and the general endurance level in men with diagnosed prostate cancer. Included in the trial were men who had undergone or are currently undergoing a number of different treatment paths including: radiation, ADT hormonal blockade treatment, radical surgical removal (prostatectomy) or are in various stages of watchful waiting while instituting dietary and lifestyle changes. .
Although the results are preliminary and the sample small, the initial results look promising and we feel merit further study. The product does not appear to have a profound effect on PSA levels, is relatively inexpensive and seems to enhance the sexual and general energy of a majority of men who take it. Maca root extract can be ordered from Herbs America by calling 541-846-6222.

4. Brazilian plants as possible adaptogens: An ethnopharmacological survey of books edited in Brazil.
Mendes FR, Carlini EA.
Cebrid, Department of Psychobiology at UNIFESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Feb 12;109(3):493-500. Epub 2006 Sep 1.
In a survey, from Brazilian books, we searched plants that are in popular use for purposes resembling those of an adaptogen. This study focused on 24 books by authors from diverse regions in the country, resulting in a total of 1317 citations of uses related to a possible adaptogen effect from approximately 766 plants. Only species native to Brazil, cited in at least four books, were selected, resulting a total of 33 species, belonging to 24 families. Of these, four species have been studied previously in relation to effects that are considered as part of an adaptogen effect (anti-stress, memory enhancement, increased physical and/or sexual performance): Heteropterys aphrodisiaca (Malpighiaceae), Paullinia cupana (Sapindaceae), Ptychopetalum olacoides (Olacaceae), and Turnera diffusa (Turneraceae). Three others -Pfaffia glomerata, Pfaffia paniculata (Amaranthaceae), and Trichilia catigua (Meliaceae) - have also been the object of pharmacological studies that support their use as a possible adaptogen, but they are listed in less than four books. The overall results obtained in the present review of Brazilian folk literature reveals that Brazil is rich in plants with potential adaptogen-like effect, but lacks pharmacological studies (mostly clinical ones) to confirm these therapeutic properties.
PMID: 17030478 [PubMed - in process]

5. Pfaffia paniculata-induced changes in plasma estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone levels in mice.
Oshima M, Gu Y.
Graduate School of Medical Imaging, Suzuka University of Medical Science, 1001-1 Kishioka-cho, Suzuka-shi, Mie
510-0293, Japan. J Reprod Dev. 2003 Apr;49(2):175-80. Links
The present study undertook chemical analysis of components of Pfaffia paniculata roots. In addition, an animal experiment was conducted in which mice had ad libitum access to water enriched with powdered P. paniculata root for 30 days. Changes in plasma concentrations of estradiol-17beta and progesterone in female mice and of testosterone in male mice were ascertained. The results revealed that P. paniculata roots contain two types of phytosteroids, beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol, in addition to other compounds such as pfaffic acid, allantoin, saponins, beta-sitosteryl-beta-D-glucoside, and stigmasteryl-beta-D-glucoside. Regarding changes in plasma concentrations of hormones, levels of the sex hormones estradiol-17beta, progesterone and testosterone were clearly higher for mice that drank P. paniculata root-enriched water than for mice that drank plain water. Powdered P. paniculata root is easily dissolved in feed or water, and as no adverse reactions were seen in mice within 30 days of oral intake, consumption of P. paniculata for long periods of time appears safe.
PMID: 14967943 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

6. Stimulating property of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata extracts on the sexual-behavior of male rats.
Arletti R, Benelli A, Cavazzuti E, Scarpetta G, Bertolini A.
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
farmacol@unimo.it Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1999 Mar;143(1):15-9.
Sexually potent and sexually sluggish/impotent male rats were treated orally with different amounts of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata fluid extracts (0.25, 0.50, 1.0 ml/kg). While having no effect on the copulatory behavior of sexually potent rats, both plant extracts--singly or in combination--improved the copulatory performance of sexually sluggish/impotent rats. The highest dose of either extract (1 ml/kg) (as well as the combination of 0.5 ml/kg of each extract) increased the percentage of rats achieving ejaculation and significantly reduced mount, intromission and ejaculation latencies, post-ejaculatory interval and intercopulatory interval. Neither extract affected locomotor activity. These results seem to support the folk reputation of Turnera diffusa and Pfaffia paniculata as sexual stimulants.
PMID: 10227074 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7. Pharmacological actions of Cordyceps, a prized folk medicine.
Ng TB, Wang HX.
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories,
Hong Kong, China. b021770@mailserv.cuhk.edu.hk
Cordyceps species, including C. sinensis, C. militaris, C. pruinosa and C. ophioglossoides, are prized traditional medicinal materials. The aim of this article is to review the chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of Cordyceps species. The chemical constituents include cordycepin (3’-de-oxyadenosine) and its derivatives, ergosterol, polysaccharides, a glycoprotein and peptides containing alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. They include anti-tumour, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, antimicrobial, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-ageing, neuroprotective and renoprotective effects. Polysaccharide accounts for the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumour, anti-metastatic, immunomodulatory, hypoglycaemic, steroidogenic and hypolipidaemic effects. Cordycepin contributes to the anti-tumour, insecticidal and antibacterial activity. Ergosterol exhibits anti-tumour and immunomodulatory activity. A DNase has been characterized.
PMID: 16354395 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

8. Comparison of protective effects between cultured Cordyceps militaris and natural Cordyceps sinensis against oxidative damage.
Yu HM, Wang BS, Huang SC, Duh PD.
Department of Pharmacy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan Hsien, Taiwan, Republic of China.
The Chinese herb DongChong-XiaCao originating from Cordyceps sinensis is widely used as a traditional medicine in China for treatment of a wide variety of diseases. The extracts of Cordyceps sinensis (CSE) and Cordyceps militaris (CME) are well-known for their biological effects. In the present study, the antioxidant efficiency of CME and CSE in protecting lipid, protein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidative damage was investigated. CME and CSE showed weakly inhibitory effect on liposome oxidation, that of CME being superior to that of CSE. As for the protein oxidation model system, the inhibitory effect of CME on protein oxidation was inferior to that of CSE. CME and CSE at 1.0 mg/mL showed 50.5 and 67.1% inhibition of LDL oxidation, respectively. The contents of bioactive ingredients cordycepin and adenosine in CME are higher than those of CSE; however, both cordycepin and adenosine showed no significant antioxidant activity as determined by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity method. Polyphenolic and flavonoid contents are 60.2 and 0.598 microg/mL in CME and 31.8 and 0.616 microg/mL in CSE, respectively, which may in part be responsible for their antioxidant activities. In addition, a polysaccharide present in CME and CSE displayed antioxidant activity, which suggested that the activity might be derived partly from polysaccharides of CME and CSE. The tendency to scavenge the ABTS(*)(+) free radical and the reducing ability of CME and CSE display concentration-dependent manners, suggesting that CME and CSE may be potent hydrogen donators. On the basis of the results obtained, the protective effects of CME and CSE against oxidative damage of biomolecules are a result of their free radical scavenging abilities.
PMID: 16608242 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

9. An experimental study on anti-aging action of Cordyceps extract [Article in Chinese]
Wang YH, Ye J, Li CL, Cai SQ, Ishizaki M, Katada M.
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate anti-aging effect and mechanism of Cordyceps extract(CSE) on aged mice induced by D-galactose. METHOD: The aged mice were induced by D-galactose. Meanwhile, they were treated with three doses of CSE. Then the ability of learning and memory, the activity of antioxidase in the different tissue, the contents of MDA of brain and liver were measured after 6 weeks. RESULT: CSE could significantly increase the ability of learning and memory, improve the activity of SOD of red blood cells, brain and liver, the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPE of brain, the activity of CAT and GSH-Px of blood, and remarkably decrease the activity of MAO of brain and the contents of MDA of brain and liver. CONCLUSION: CSE has good anti-aging effects on the aged mice, which is probably due to effects of improving antioxidation and removing free radicals.
PMID: 15506292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

10. C21 steroidal glycosides from Hemidesmus indicus.
Sigler P, Saksena R, Deepak D, Khare A.
Department of Chemistry, Lucknow University, India. Phytochemistry. 2000 Aug;54(8):983-7
Two novel pregnane glycosides, denicunine (1) and heminine (4), have been isolated from the dried stem of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. (family: Asclepiadaceae). Chemical transformations and spectroscopic evidence viz: 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and FABMS are consistent with the structures calogenin 3-O-3-O-methyl-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-oleandropyranosi de and calogenin 3-O-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside+ ++, respectively.
PMID: 11014302 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

11. Pregnane glycosides from Hemidesmus indicus.
Deepak D, Srivastava S, Khare A.
Department of Chemistry, University of Lucknow, India.
Three new pregnane oligoglycosides, medidesmine, hemisine and desmisine isolated from the plant Hemidesmus indicus were identified as sarcostin-3-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-oleandropyranoside, calogenin-3-O-beta-D-cymaropyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O[3-O-methyl]beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-cymaropyranoside and calogenin-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-digitoxopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-O-beta-D-digitoxopyranoside, respectively, with the help of FAB-MS, EI-MS, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, along with chemical transformations.
PMID: 8983217 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE

12. New pentacyclic triterpenes from the roots of Hemidesmus indicus.
Roy SK, Ali M, Sharma MP, Ramachandram R.
Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, India. Pharmazie. 2001 Mar; 56 (3): 244-6.
Phytochemical studies on the roots of Hemidesmus indicus resulted in the isolation of six new pentacyclic triterpenes including two oleanenes identified as olean-12-en-21 beta-yl acetate, and olean-12-en-3 alpha-yl acetate, three ursenes characterized as 16(17)-seco-urs-12,20(30)-dien-18 alpha H-3 beta-yl actetate, urs-20(30)-en-18 beta H-3 beta-yl acetate and 16(17)-seco-urs-12,20(30) dien-18-alpha H-3 beta-ol and a lupene formulated us lup-1,12-dien-3-on-21-ol including a known compound, beta-amyrin acetate, on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical means.
PMID: 11265594 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

13. Evaluation of antioxidant properties of root bark of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Anantmul).
Ravishankara MN, Shrivastava N, Padh H, Rajani M.
B.V. Patel Pharmaceutical Education & Research Development Centre, Thaltej, Ahmedabad, India. Phytomedicine. 2002 Mar;9(2):153-60
Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) is a well known drug in Ayurveda system of medicine. In the present study, antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of H. indicus root bark was evaluated in several in vitro and ex vivo models. Further, preliminary phytochemical analysis and TLC fingerprint profile of the extract was established to characterize the extract which showed antioxidant properties. The in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant potential of root bark of H. indicus was evaluated in different systems viz. radical scavenging activity by DPPH reduction, superoxide radical scavenging activity in riboflavin/light/NBT system, nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity in sodium nitroprusside/Greiss reagent system and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by iron-ADP-ascorbate in liver homogenate and phenylhydrazine induced haemolysis in erythrocyte membrane stabilization study. The extract was found to have different levels of antioxidant properties in the models tested. In scavenging DPPH and superoxide radicals, its activity was intense (EC50 = 18.87 and 19.9 microg/ml respectively) while in scavenging NO radical, it was moderate. It also inhibited lipid peroxidation of liver homogenate (EC50 = 43.8 microg/ml) and the haemolysis induced by phenylhydrazine (EC50 = 9.74 microg/ml) confirming the membrane stabilization activity. The free radical scavenging property may be one of the mechanisms by which this drug is effective in several free radical mediated disease conditions.
PMID: 11995949 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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