Antifatigue Effects of Ethanol Extracts and Polysaccharides Isolated from Abelmoschus esculentus

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine the antifatigue active fraction from Abelmoschus esculentus. The in vivo antifatigue effects of ethanol extracts and polysaccharides from A. esculentus fruit have been determined. The polysaccharides of A. esculentus were determined as the best effective fractions of antifatigue effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: About 360 Kunming male mice were randomly divided into nine subgroups: normal control subgroup, model subgroup, positive subgroup and the ethanol extracts of A. esculentus with high dose (3.2 g/kg) subgroup, medium dose (1.6 g/kg) subgroup and low dose (0.8 g/kg) subgroup, the polysaccharides of high dose (3.2 g/kg) subgroup, medium dose (1.6 g/kg) subgroup, and the low dose (0.8 g/kg) subgroup. The antifatigue effects of ethanol extracts and polysaccharides form A. esculentus were measured by comparing body weight, food intake, swimming time, liver glycogen, serum urea, blood lactic acid as well as visceral parameter in mice. RESULTS: Compared with the model subgroup, other subgroups significantly prolonged swimming time, and high dose polysaccharides administration was the most effective (P < 0.01). High dose polysaccharides significantly increased liver glycogen, serum lactic acid, and serum urea (P < 0.01) in mice. In contrast with model group, the high dose polysaccharides administration could also significantly elevated the parameters of testicles and epididymis (P < 0.01). The study established that the ethanol extracts and polysaccharides of A. esculentus both have antifatigue effects. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that both the ethanol extracts and polysaccharides of A. esculentus have antifatigue effects. The high dosage polysaccharides have significant antifatigue properties. The results will provide the basis for further development and utilization of this plant. SUMMARY: The high dosage polysaccharides have restoration ability on kidney yang deficiency mice. The high dosage polysaccharides have significant effects of relieving body fatigue of mice. The polysaccharide of Abelmoschus esculentus showed better antifatigue effects than the ethanol extracts. Abbreviations used: A. esculentus: Abelmoschus esculentus, BUN: Blood urine nitrogen, LD: Lactic Acid dehydrogenase, AE: Abelmoschus esculentus ethanol extracts, AP: Abelmoschus esculentus polysaccharides, LAC: Lactic acid content.