Synergistic effects of Lepidium meyenii and Allium tuberosum extracts on erectile dysfunction

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University in China assessed the effects of the combined extracts from Lepidium meyenii (maca) root and Allium tuberosum (Chinese chives) seed on erectile dysfunction. The results of their study were published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

• Sexual problems like erectile dysfunction are widespread and adversely affect relationships as well as quality of life.
• Meanwhile, synthetic drugs that improve sexual function are expensive.
• To develop a cost-effective natural medicine for erectile dysfunction, the researchers obtained extracts from maca root and Chinese chives using supercritical fluid extraction.
• They gave male mice either one of the two extracts or a combination of both by gastric gavage for 14 days. Viagra served as the positive control drug.
• The researchers observed sexual behavior during the treatment period and measured serum testosterone, nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in both serum and penis. They also took note of the weight of the mice’s genitals.
• The researchers reported that the combination of maca root and Chinese chives seed extracts contained more macamides than the maca root extract.
• Treatment with the combination resulted in a significantly higher ejaculation frequency than treatment with a single extract.
• Treatment with the combined extracts also increased serum and penis NO levels, as well as cGMP levels in the penis.

Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that the combination of maca root and Chinese chives seed extract produces better synergistic effects on male sexual function than treatment with either extract alone.

Read the full study at this link.

Journal Reference:

Zhang Y, Zhou F, Ge F. EFFECTS OF COMBINED EXTRACTS OF LEPIDIUM MEYENII AND ALLIUM TUBEROSUM ROTTL. ON ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 18 June 2019;19(1). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-019-2542-4