Objective: To study the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction () or Yukmijihwangtang (YJT) on endurance exercise by in vivo experiment.
Methods: ICR mice were randomly divided into the control group (distilled water) and the YJT groups (1, 10, 100 mg/kg), 5 animals per group. YJT and distilled water were orally administered. The anti-fatigue effect of YJT was evaluated by open fifiled test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST).
Results: In the OFT, YJT signifificantly increased the total movement distance in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, treatment with YJT signifificantly decreased immobility time in the FST and the TST. Various neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA) levels were increased by FST. Administration of YJT down-regulated the expression levels of NE, 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA), and DA in the brain stem and hypothalamus of mice. Moreover, protein expression of HSP70 in mice liver and heart muscles was signifificantly increased in the YJT groups.
Conclusions: YJT could ameliorate fatigue and enhance exercise tolerance through suppressing of brain monoamines including NE, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and DA in FST mice model.
Keywords: Chinese medicine; HSP70; Liuwei Dihuang Decoction; Yukmijihwang-tang; fatigue; forced swimming test; neurotransmitter.