Abstract
BackgroundIn the present work, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Maca (AEM) on energy metabolism and immunoregulation in spleen-deficient mice.MethodWe established a cyclophosphamide-induced spleen-deficiency model with ginseng, a herb that strengthens splenic function, as a control. Sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided among 5 groups: normal, model, ginseng control (1.5 g/kg), AEM high dose (1.5 g/kg), and AEM low dose (0.75 g/kg). All animals, except those in the normal group, were injected with cyclophosphamide to induce spleen deficiency. Furthermore, we investigated differences in the thermotropic behaviors of mice using the Animal Thermotropism Behavior Surveillance System to detect energy metabolism-related assays and immune regulation assays.ResultsMice given AEM exhibited tropism in response to hot plate exposure. AEM inhibited loss of body weight and immune organ atrophy caused by cyclophosphamide, increased the cAMP/cGMP ratio in blood, and enhanced the activities of Na+–K+-ATPase, Ca2+–Mg2+-ATPase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hepatic glycogen. AEM significantly reversed declining white blood cells and platelet counts, and increased the hemoglobin content within peripheral blood cells. AEM improved the protein levels of IFN-γ, TNF-β, IL-2, and IL-4 in the spleen.ConclusionsMaca possesses the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) property of warm and appears to strengthen spleen function.
Highlights
In the present work, we investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Maca (AEM) on energy metabolism and immunoregulation in spleen-deficient mice
AEM inhibited loss of body weight and immune organ atrophy caused by cyclophosphamide, increased the cAMP/cGMP ratio in blood, and enhanced the activities of Na+–K+-ATPase, Ca2+–Mg2+-ATPase, lactate dehydrogenase, and hepatic glycogen
A new theory set forth the belief that the four Qi of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are associated with energy metabolism, such as the activities of Na+–K+-ATPase, Ca2+–Mg2+-ATPase, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and SDH
Summary
We investigated the effects of aqueous extract of Maca (AEM) on energy metabolism and immunoregulation in spleen-deficient mice. In China, it is considered as a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) agent [8, 9]. Scientists have investigated the endocrinological, neurological, and immunological outcomes associated with TCM, such as enhanced or weakened neurological functions, up- or down-regulated neurotransmitter molecules, and alterations to the ratio of cyclic adenosine monophosphate to cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cAMP/cGMP). An animal thermotropism behavior surveillance system has been developed and used to distinguish the hot and cold properties of medicinal herbs used in TCM [10]. A new theory set forth the belief that the four Qi (cold, cool, warm, and hot) of TCM are associated with energy metabolism, such as the activities of Na+–K+-ATPase, Ca2+–Mg2+-ATPase, and the levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and SDH. Fei et al Eur J Med Res (2020) 25:24
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