[Assesing the effect of Lepidium meyenii "Maca" on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia]. / Evaluacióndel efecto de la Lepidium meyenii "Maca" en la mucosa gástrica en pacientes con dispepsia funcional.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to determine the histological effect of Lepidium meyenii "Maca" on the gastric mucosa in patients with functional dyspepsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study consists of a clinical case series, in which the effect of Maca on the gastric histopathology of 29 Peruvian patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia was examined. The presence of H. pylori, as well as the degree and depth of the gastric mucosa inflammation was evaluated from biopsies obtained before and after the treatment based solely of Maca 3 grams per day for four weeks. RESULTS: Average values of the degree and depth of mucosal inflammation before and after the treatment were compared showing no statistical difference among the samples. Sixteen patients were infected with H. pylori, and they remained infected after the treatment with Maca. CONCLUSIONS: A four week long treatment with Maca does not produce significant changes on gastric mucosa of patients with functional dyspepsia, neither on H. pylori eradication.