Effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on brain NGF and sirtsignaling pathways in exercised rat

Lepidium meyenii (maca), a plant of the Brassicae family, has been used for centuries as a medicinal plant and food source in Peru. Although the antioxidant and antistress properties of this plant have been studied, the molecular mechanisms underlying this activity have not been adequately explained. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Maca on brain NGF and SIRT signaling pathways in challenging exercise rats. A total of 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 animals: (i) Control; (ii) Maca was given to rats (40 mg / kg BW) by gavage for 21 days; (iii) Exercise, the rats were subjected to a weight-loaded forced swimming test once a day for 21 days; (iv) Exercise + Maca, the rats were subjected to a weight-laden swimming test once daily for 21 days and were given maca daily by gavage (40 mg / kg BW). Maca application decreased brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in rats that were subjected to weight-laden swimming test (P <0.05). The levels of brain tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) did not change in maca-supplemented rats compared to the control groups (P > 0.05). In exercise + Maca group, SIRT1, NGF, BDNF, NRF-2 and HO-1 levels increased (P <0.05), but SIRT3 level did not change (P > 0.05). BDNF levels increased in the Maca group compared to the control group (P <0.05). HO-1 levels decreased significantly in the exercise group compared to the control group (P <0.01). These results show that Maca can reduce increased MDA levels in the target tissue by oxidative stress response in the target tissue with a weight-loaded swim test and increase the levels of proteins in the NGF and SIRT signaling pathways. The mechanism of this activity is thought to be due to the regulatory properties of Maca on these signaling pathways and the antioxidant cleaning effect against the free radicals produced by the forced weighted exercise period. Key Words: Exhaustive exercise, Free radicals, Maca (Lepidium meyenii), NGF, SIRT