The effect of Lepidium meyenii polysaccharide on fatigue: a systematic review
Abstract
Introduction: Fatigue can be defined as the inability to maintain a power activity or performance decrease and is associated to several factors, such as: change in the electrical action potential of the muscle fiber, muscle glycogen depletion and metabolite accumulation, in addition to increased free radical production and reactive oxygen species. Lepidium meyenii, a plant originally from the Peruvian Andes and used by local people for thousands of years, has been studied for its benefits, including its anti-fatigue effect. Objective: To determine, from the analysis of biochemical parameters, the anti-fatigue effect of the maca substrates. Materials and methods: Systematic review of experimental studies published between January 2009 and January 2019, searched in the main medical literature databases. Results: In all studies analyzed, the forced swimming time was longer in the groups of mice supplemented with maca substrates compared to the control groups. Regarding the biochemical parameters evaluated (BLA, BUN, LDH and LG), supplementation was beneficial, with anti-fatigue response in at least one sample of each work analyzed. Other parameters cited in the studies such as MG, BSR, MDA, CK and GSU-PX were positive, however, they were evaluated in only one study and could not be compared. Conclusion: There is a need for further experiments in the area, in order to establish the best form of purification and the identification of the substrate with higher anti-fatigue activity.
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