Valentová Katerina, Ulrichová Jitka
Institute of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Palacký University, Hnevotínská 3, 775 15 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub. 2003 Dec;147(2):119-30.
Smallanthus sonchifolius (yacon) and Lepidium meyenii (maca) were the traditional crops of the original population of Peru where they are also still used in folk medicine. These plants are little known in Europe and Northern America although at least yacon can be cultivated in the climatic conditions of these regions. This article deals with the botany and the composition, the structure of main constituents, biological activity of these plants and the cultivation of yacon in the Czech Republic. The potential of yacon tubers to treat hyperglycemia, kidney problems and for skin rejuvenation and the antihyperglycemic and cytoprotective activity of its leaves seems to be related mostly to its oligofructan and phenolic content, respectively. Maca alkaloids, steroids, glucosinolates, isothicyanates and macamides are probably responsible for its aptitude to act as a fertility enhancer, aphrodisiac, adaptogen, immunostimulant, anabolic and to influence hormonal balance. Yacon and maca are already on the European market as prospective functional foods and dietary supplements, mainly for use in certain risk groups of the population, e.g. seniors, diabetics, postmenopausal women etc.
雪莲果（亚贡）和玛咖是秘鲁原住民的传统作物，在当地它们仍被用于民间医药。尽管至少雪莲果能够在欧洲和北美的气候条件下种植，但这两种植物在欧美地区鲜为人知。本文论述了这两种植物的植物学特征、成分、主要成分的结构、生物活性以及雪莲果在捷克共和国的种植情况。雪莲果块茎治疗高血糖、肾脏问题以及嫩肤的潜力，及其叶片的降血糖和细胞保护活性，似乎分别主要与其低聚果糖和酚类物质的含量有关。玛咖生物碱、甾体、硫代葡萄糖苷、异硫氰酸盐和玛卡酰胺可能是其具有增强生育能力、壮阳、适应原、免疫刺激、合成代谢以及影响激素平衡作用的原因。雪莲果和玛咖作为潜在的功能性食品和膳食补充剂已进入欧洲市场，主要供特定风险人群使用，例如老年人、糖尿病患者、绝经后女性等。
