Enhanced anti-fatigue and exercise performances due to Huáng qí polysaccharide supplementation in mice

Abstract

In modern society, people have busy and competitive lives, with different stresses causing fatigue and overwork, which may ultimately harm their health. We investigated the beneficial effects of Astragalus polysaccharide (rAPS) on fatigue and exercise performance. Forty male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were randomly divided into four groups according to body weight (BW): control group (distilled water), 1-fold dose group (0.70 g rAPS/kg BW/day), 2-fold dose group (1.40 g rAPS/kg BW/day) and a 5-fold dose group (3.50 g rAPS/kg BW/day). In terms of exercise performance, rAPS supplementation significantly improved grip strength performance and time to exhaust-loaded swim times when compared with controls (p < 0.05). Moreover, rAPS supplementation significantly reduced fatigue-related biochemical parameters, including blood lactate and BUN levels, while significantly improve muscle strength and swimming endurance times t(p < 0.05). Hence, we recommend that rAPS elicit antifatigue and performance-enhancing health benefits.