Lepidium meyenii

Lepidium meyenii, commonly known as Maca root, is a biennial herbaceous plant native to the high Andean mountains of Peru (Gonzales, 2012, PMID: 21961034). It is classified as a dietary supplement and adaptogen rather than a specific therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme. The root contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including unique alkaloids known as macamides, as well as glucosinolates, sterols, and polyphenols (Wu et al., 2021, PMID: 33508601). Maca is primarily utilized for its purported benefits in enhancing libido, improving fertility, and alleviating symptoms of menopause, although it does not significantly alter serum testosterone or estrogen levels in most clinical studies (NIH NCCIH, 2020). Its pharmacological effects are thought to be mediated through the modulation of the endocrine system and the inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which affects the endocannabinoid system. Additionally, Maca may interact with hormone-sensitive medications such as tamoxifen or anastrozole due to its potential, though poorly understood, estrogenic activity (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 2023). Because Maca root is a complex botanical mixture, it is considered an incorrect entry for a specific molecular target database.

Other names

MacaMaca rootPeruvian ginsengMainoAyak chichiraAyak willku

Maca root acts through a multi-component mechanism involving the modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the endocannabinoid system. Specifically, macamides found in Maca have been shown to inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which increases levels of endogenous cannabinoids like anandamide (Wu et al., 2021, PMID: 33508601). It also contains glucosinolates and polyphenols that contribute to its antioxidant and potential estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects depending on the physiological context (Gonzales, 2012, PMID: 21961034).