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. 2010 Aug 6;10:44. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-44

Table 1.

Summary of randomised clinical trials with maca for sexual function

First author (year) location Sample size/condition Age (years) Sex (M/F) Duration of disease Intervention (regimen) Control intervention (regimen) Main outcome measures Results Adverse effects
Zenico (2009) [21] Italy 50 mild ED
36 (SDs, 5)
(50/0)
n.r.
(A) Maca (pulverised dehydrated maca roots directly imported from Peruvian Andes, tablets, 2400 mg/d, 1200 mg/d, 2 daily for 12 weeks, n = 25), no follow-up (B) Placebo tablets (2400 mg/d, 1200 mg/d, 2 daily for 12 weeks, n = 25) IIEF-5 Intergroup: MD,
1.10 [0.61, 1.59],
P < 0.001
n.r.
Within group:
(A) P < 0.05,
(B) P < 0.05
Brooks (2003) [22] Australia 16 healthy postmenopausal women with moderate severity of menopausal symptoms (A) Maca (company commercial product, dried maca powder, 3500 mg/d, daily for 6 weeks, n = 14), 6 weeks follow-up (B) Placebo (refined white rice flour, 3500 mg/d, daily for 6 weeks, n = 14) Sexual dysfunction (GCS) Intergroup: MD,
0.70 [0.08, 1.32], P < 0.05
n.r.
54 (SDs, 11)
(0/16)
>12 months amenorrhea
Within group:
(A) P < 0.05,
(B) NS
Gonzales (2002) [23] Peru 57 adult healthy men
21-56
(57/0)
N/A
(A) Maca (company commercial product, gelatinised maca, 1500 mg/d; 500 mg/d, 3 tablets, daily for 12 weeks, n = 30), no follow-up (C) Placebo tablets (n.r., daily for 12 weeks, n = 12) Self-perception on sexual desire Intergroup: MD,
0.51 [-0.35, 1.37], NS at 4 weeks; MD, 1.64 [1.07, 2.21], P < 0.008 at 8 weeks; MD, 1.64 [1.07, 2.21], P < 0.006 at 12 weeks
n.r.
(B) Maca (company commercial product, gelatinised maca, 3000 mg/d; 500 mg/d, 6 tablets, daily for 12 weeks, n = 15), no follow-up Within group:
(A) P < 0.05 at 4, 8, and 12 weeks,
(B) NS at 4, 8, and 12 weeks
Stone (2009) [24] UK 8 experienced and endurance trained male (cyclists) (A) Maca (company commercial product, gelatinised maca, 2000 mg/d for 2 weeks, n = 8), no follow-up (B) Placebo capsules (Arabic gum, n = 8) Sexual Desire Inventory Intergroup: MD,
6.38 [-11.32, 24.08], NS
n.r.
30 (SDs, 7)
8/0
N/A
Cross-over (1 week washout period)
Within group:
(A) P = 0.01,
(B) P = 0.90

ED: erectile dysfunction; GCS: Greene Climacteric Scale; IIEF-5: International Index of Erectile Dysfunction; NS: not significant; n.r.: not reported; SDs: standard deviations