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Medicinal plant beverages sold in the streets of Peru constitute traditional nutraceutical foods, that are little studied. Changes and the socioeconomic factors associated with these changes, in the beverages sold in the city of Cajamarca (Peru), were evaluated between 2004 and 2018. Methods included surveys, interviews, direct observation and participatory observation. The number of beverages offered ranged from 6 to 12. The "maca" (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) cart left the market, and the "sugar cane" (Saccharum officinarum L.) juice cart entered. The number of carts increased by 84%, and "orange" [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] juice became the most important. Medicinal species decreased by 26%, with exclusions, inclusions and new combinations, and were recommended for nine types of conditions. Overall demand grew by 251%. The most important factors associated to changes were the growth of the floating population (university students, mining workers, tourists and travelers) and the relevance or "boom" of Peruvian gastronomy. Beverages were able to position themselves in the market and grow through diversification and improvements. This research provides information on dynamics of the beverages and the plants used and has a historical character for the city of Cajamarca and Peru. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is insufficient knowledge of wild plant hosts of the tomato/potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, one of the worst pests of solanaceous crops. We found B. cockerelli can complete its life cycle in the field on the widespread, unreported plant host, greenleaf five eyes, Chamaesaracha coronopus (Dunal) A. Gray (Solanaceae) at Galeana, NL, Mexico. After 48 hours in a laboratory, adult survival of B. cockerelli on C. coronopus and Chamaesaracha coniodes was 73.3 and 6.6%, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no oviposition on C. coniodes. Some Chamaesaracha species might contribute to population dynamics of B. cockerelli in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the photoprotective activity of a cream with lyophilized aqueous extract of maca (LEM) against ultraviolet (UV) irradiation in the skin of mice. Materials and methods: An experimental study was carried out on 35 BALB/c mice. Treatment was applied topically on the dorsum of the animals, which were subsequently irradiated with ultraviolet B rays, and then we measured the thickness in microns (μm) of histological samples of the skin of the mice. Seven groups were assigned, divided into non-irradiated: white (G1) and irradiated with UV light: no treatment (G2); with commercial sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) 30 (G3); cream (placebo) (G4); LEM at 15% in water (G5); LEM cream at 5% (G6); and LEM cream at 15% (G7). In vitro SPF was determined using the Mansur method. Absorbance readings were taken in an ultravioletvisible spectrophotometer (UV-VIS) and SPFs were determined for the following formulations: LEM cream at 5%, benzophenone-4 (BZF-4) and commercial sunscreen SPF 30. Results: Mouse skin thickness in microns (μm) was 27.28 in G2; 18.31 in G3; 27.33 in G4; 19.51 in G5 and 18.04 in G6. There was no significant difference between the group not exposed to radiation (G1) and the 15% LEM cream group (G7), both had the lowest thicknesses (12.76 and 14.20 μm, respectively). The SPF of LEM cream at 15% was 5.480 ± 0.020. Conclusions: The formulation with LEM cream showed photoprotective activity against UV irradiation, alkaloids were the phytochemical components mostly found and the formulation was compatible with the active principle (LEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to evaluate the HPLC-DAD profile of phenolic compounds, their content and antioxidant capacity in hypocotyls extracts of yellow, red and black maca during pre-harvest, harvest and natural post-harvest drying. A significant increase in total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity was observed from pre-harvest to natural post-harvest drying in all three ecotypes. During harvest, red maca had the highest concentration of phenolic compounds. HPLC-DAD analysis revealed the prevalence of 11 phenolic compounds, but with different concentrations in each ecotype and in each stage of study, such as six flavanol derivatives (flavan-3-ol), four derivatives of benzoic acid and an o-coumaric acid derivative. Post-harvest drying, under natural conditions, caused a significant loss (yellow maca 89.90%, red maca 82.49% and black maca 66.31%) of phenolic compounds, mainly derived from benzoic and o-coumaric acid, until non-detectable limits, only two flavanol derivatives (flavan-3-ol) tolerated these conditions. The results of the study suggest improving cultivation techniques and post-harvest management to preserve the content of phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Compare the effect of different doses of red maca on gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels in ovariectomized rats (OVX). Materials and methods. Adult female rats were randomly divided into the following six groups: Group 1: pseudo-ovariectomized rats (PO); Group 2: OVX rats; Group 3: OVX rats treated with 4 ug/kg estradiol; and Group 4, 5 and 6: OVX rats treated with red maca extracts with 2.15, 4.3 and 8.6 mg polyphenols/body weight kilogram, respectively. Results. OVX rats showed low levels of IFN-γ compared to PO rats. Estradiol and red maca reversed the effect of ova-riectomy on the IFN-γ levels. A positive dose-response effect of red maca on IFN-γ levels was shown (r = 0.57, p <0.05). Conclusions. Red maca administration increases levels of IFN-γ in ovariectomized rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the phytochemical characteristics of commercial product called maca, from centers of formal and informal markets in the provinces of Lima, Callao and Junin, Peru. Methodology: We studied maca flour products collected by convenience. They were a total of eight samples: three samples from formal sales with Sanitary Registration (SR) and four samples of informal sale (without SR), and another sample was taxonomically classified by Cerrate E. method as Lepidium peruvianum, which was collected in the Meseta de Bombón (Junín). The phytochemical was performed according to the colorimetrymethod described by Lock et al, who cataloged the presence of phytochemical qualitatively in "+ + +" (abundant), "+ +" (moderate), "+" (mild) and "- "(absence). The metabolites investigated were: alkaloids, lactones and coumarins, triterpenes/steroids, catechins, resins, reducing sugars, saponins, phenols, tannins, free aminoacids, quinones, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Results: Phytochemicals are presented unevenly among the eight samples. We emphasize the presence of alkaloids (+ + +) in a sample of formal sale and another of informal sale, opposite (+) of Lepidium peruvianum.It was also demonstrated the presence of flavonoids in two samples of informal sale (+ +) and in Lepidumperuvianum (+). Likewise, steroids were observed in a sample of formal sale (+ +), in two samples of informal sale (+ + +) and Lepidium peruvianum (+ +). Conclusions: This study revealed the presence of all investigated phytochemicals except saponins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxicity of aqueous boiled extracts of maca flour was evaluated in two aquatic organisms: Artemia franciscana (invertebrate) and guppy (Poecilia reticulata), a vertebrate fish. Also, acute toxicity of this extract was evaluated by intraperitoneal administration in mouse (Mus musculus), a common animal model used in laboratories for preclinical tests. Results show toxic effects of Lepidium meyenii on all three animal species, depending on dose and exposure time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of its high nutritional value, the possible usefulness of Lepidum peruvianum (maca) was assayed, as a possible culture medium for Trypanosoma cruzi. Under experimental conditions, T. cruzi epimastigota were incubated in four biphasic different culture media including Lepidum peruvianum (maca), and they were compared against BHI culture medium as a control. The inclusion of maca in the culture media allowed Trypanosoma cruzi growth; it was determined that the medium containing blood-enriched maca amongst its solid components and a maca infusion in the liquid phase had better growth (3,41 x 105 parasites/mL) compared to the other culture media after five days (p<0,05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]