玛咖又名迈恩独行菜Lepidium meyenii,含有丰富的营养成分和具有多种生物活性的次级代谢产物,玛咖烯和玛咖酰胺被认为是玛咖特有的标志性物质。玛咖具有多方面的药理作用,包括抗疲劳、抗氧化、改善性功能等,这些都预示着玛咖在保健品和药用方面具有广阔的开发前景。对玛咖的化学成分、药理作用和质量评价方法的国内外研究现状进行综述。

Maca is also called Lepidium meyenii Walp., and contains rich nutrients and has a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites. Macaenes and macamides are considered to be unique mark material of maca. Maca has various pharmacological activities, including anti-fatigue, anti-oxidation, improving sexual function and so on, which indicate that maca has a broad development prospects in terms of health care products and medicinal aspects. Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and quality evaluation of maca at home and abroad are reviewed.