A comparison of anti- fatigue properties in Maca( Lepidium meyenii Walp) from different area

Objective: To compare anti- fatigue function of Maca( Lepidium meyenii Walp) from different area.Method: 120 mice were randomly divided into 2 batches to examine load swimming time,hepatic glycogen content,muscle glycogen content and blood urea nitrogen content after non- loaded swimming.Content of functional components in Maca were determined by acid dye colorimetry and high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC) respectively.The effects of the composition on the content of hepatic glycogen content,muscle glycogen content and blood urea nitrogen content were studied. Results: All Maca decoctions could prolong weight- loaded swimming duration( p < 0.05),purple Maca from Yunnan significantly prolonged weight- loaded swimming duration( p < 0.01). Hepatic glycogen content and muscle glycogen content of all experimental groups were higher than those of control groups( p < 0.01),hepatic glycogen content and muscle glycogen content of yellow Maca was the highest( p < 0.01). Blood urea nitrogen contents in blood of all experimental groups were lower than those of control group( p < 0.01),blood urea nitrogen contents of yellow Maca was lowest( p < 0.01).As the concent of functional components rised,the content of hepatic glycogen and muscle glycogen rised at first and went down latter,while the content of blood urea nitrogen went down at first and rised latter. Conclusion: Maca decoctions could alleviate physical fatigue in mice. There were differences in effect of Maca from different areas on alleviating physical fatigue.The effect of yellow Maca is better than purple Maca and black Maca cultivated in Yunnan.