Effect of Adansonia Digitata L. on Physical Performance and Haematological Parameters in Rats

The improvement of physical performance remain important for the sportsmen but controls related to the doping substances are intensifying.To improve this physical performance without doping it would be indicated to have resolt to the natural substances from food or medicinal plants. Adansonia digitata is widely used as vegetable in Togo and traditional healers advise currently young wrestlers in Kabyè land to eat diet from this plant many days before the competitions. This study aims to investigate the effects of fruit pulp and leaves of A. digitata. on swimming performance and hematological parameters in rats. Male Wistar rats were orally administrated with A. digitata. Leaves or fruit pulp (1000 mg/kg/day) and submitted to swimming for two weeks (6 days of exercise a week without any load). On the 16th day, rats were made to swim till exhaustion with a load of 5% body weight attached to their tails. At the exhaustion point the duration of the effort is recorded. Hematological parameters before and after effort, serum biochemical parameters and serum TNF-α were measured. Antioxidant capacities of A. digitata were also investigated. The results showed that A. digitata leaf and fruit pulp significantly improve swimming time in treated rats (1000 mg/kg/day) compare to untreated rats. This performance could be related to the ameliorative effects of A. Digitata on hematological parameters and its capacity to enhance serum antioxidant potential. A. digitata leaf and fruit pulp could use as food complement to improve physical performance.