Rh2-enriched Korean Ginseng Ameliorates Chronic Fatigue in a Forced Exercise mouse model

⋅Received:16 May 2016 ⋅Revised:20 June 2016 ⋅Accepted:22 June 2016 * These authors contributed equally to this study. ⋅Correspondence to:Chang-Gue Son Liver and Immunology Research Center, Korean Medical Collage of Daejeon University 176-9 Daehung-ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon, 34929, Republic of Korea Tel:+82-42-229-6807, Fax:+82-42-257-6398 E-mail:[email protected] ⋅Correspondence to:Hwa-Seung Yoo East West Cancer Center, Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital, Daejeon University 176-75 Daeduckdae-ro, Seogu, Daejeon, 35235, Republic of Korea Tel:+82-42-470-9132, Fax:+82-42-470-9006, E-mail:[email protected] Objectives: We evaluated the anti-fatigue effects of Rh2-enriched Korean ginseng (Ginseng Rh2+) using a forced exercise-induced chronic fatigue mouse model. Methods: ICR male mice were subjected to running wheel for 1 h, 5 days/week during 4 weeks, and running velocity was gradually increased. Each running session was followed by oral administration of distilled water, Ginseng Rh2+ (150 or 300 mg/kg), or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 100 mg/kg) 1 h later. The exercise tolerance and forced swimming test were performed to evaluate the fatigue condition. Results: Chronic forced exercise reduced the physical activity, as evidenced by the behavioral tests, which were notably ameliorated by Ginseng Rh2+ treatment. Ginseng Rh2+ treatment also attenuated the alterations of energy metabolism and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle tissues and/or sera, including malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate concentration and its related factors (lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, and glucose levels). Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that Ginseng Rh2+ exerts a potent anti-fatigue effect through modulation of energy metabolism and oxidative response.