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

[摘要] Hualian No. 4 wild bitter gourd (WBG) is a specific vegetable cultivated by the HualienDistrict Agricultural Research and Extension Station in Taiwan. WBG is commonly consumedas a vegetable and used as a popular folk medicine. However, few studies have demonstratedthe effects of WBG supplementation on exercise performance, physical fatigue and thebiochemical profile. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential beneficialeffects of WBG extract on fatigue and ergogenic functions following physiologicalchallenge. Three groups of male ICR mice (n=8 per group) were orally administered 0, 1 or2.5 g/kg/day of WBG for 4 weeks. They were respectively designated the vehicle, WBG-1X andWBG-2.5X groups. WBG significantly decreased body weight (BW) and epididymal fat pad (EFP)weight. Concerning physical performance, WBG supplementation dose-dependently increasedgrip strength and endurance swimming time. Concerning anti-fatigue activity, WBG decreasedlevels of serum lactate, ammonia, creatine kinase and blood urea nitrogen, and economizedglucose metabolism after acute exercise challenge. Glycogen in the liver and gastrocnemiusmuscle 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-weeksupplementation with WBG may decrease white adipose weight, enhance energy economy,increase glycogen storage to enhance exercise performance and reduce fatigue.

[学科分类] 兽医学

[关键词] anti-fatigue;exercise performance;glycogen storage;wild bitter gourd