Effects of Antrodia camphorata and Panax ginseng supplementation on anti-fatigue properties in mice

Antrodia camphorata and Panax ginseng are well-known medicinal plants in Taiwan folk and traditional Chinese medicine, which have been reported for multifunctional bioactivities. However, there is limited evidence that a fixed combination formula of these two plant extracts is effective for the exercise improvement or anti-fatigue. We aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of the mix formulation of these two herbal medicines (AG formulation) on fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice from four groups (n=10 per group) were orally administered AG formulation for 4 weeks at 0.984, 2.952 and 5.904 g/kg/day, which were designated the Vehicle, AG-1X, AG-3X and AG-6X groups, respectively. The anti-fatigue activity and exercise performance were evaluated using exhaustive swimming time, forelimb grip strength, and levels of serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine kinase (CK) after a swimming exercise. The exhaustive swimming time of the 1X, 3X or 6X AG group was significantly longer than that of the Vehicle group, and the forelimb grip strength of the 1X, 3X or 6X AG group was also significantly higher than that of the Vehicle group. AG supplementation also produced decreases in serum lactate, ammonia, BUN and CK activity after the swimming test, as well as increases in glucose. Therefore, the AG complex could be a potential formulation with an anti-fatigue pharmacological effect.

Supplementation with Hualian No. 4 wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata ser.) extract increases anti-fatigue activities and enhances exercise performance in mice

Hualian No. 4 wild bitter gourd (WBG) is a specific vegetable cultivated by the Hualien District Agricultural Research and Extension Station in Taiwan. WBG is commonly consumed as a vegetable and used as a popular folk medicine. However, few studies have demonstrated the effects of WBG supplementation on exercise performance, physical fatigue and the biochemical profile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of WBG extract on fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiological challenge. Three groups of male ICR mice (n=8 per group) were orally administered 0, 1 or 2.5 g/kg/day of WBG for 4 weeks. They were respectively designated the vehicle, WBG-1X and WBG-2.5X groups. WBG significantly decreased body weight (BW) and epididymal fat pad (EFP) weight. Concerning physical performance, WBG supplementation dose-dependently increased grip strength and endurance swimming time. Concerning anti-fatigue activity, WBG decreased levels of serum lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen, and economized glucose metabolism after acute exercise challenge. Glycogen in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle dose-dependently increased with WBG treatment. Concerning the biochemical profile, WBG treatment significantly decreased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and urea acid (UA), and increased total protein (TP). Therefore, 4-week supplementation with WBG may decrease white adipose weight, enhance energy economy, increase glycogen storage to enhance exercise performance and reduce fatigue.