Anti-athletic fatigue activity of saponins (Ginsenosides) from American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.).

To study the anti-athletic fatigue effects of saponins from American ginseng (SAG), male Kunming mice were randomized into 4 groups equally based on body weight after one week adoption, and they are: C group (control mice given distilled water for 14 days), LS group (mice treated SAG with 50 mg/kg for 14 days), MS group (mice treated SAG with 100 mg/kg for 14 days) and HS group (mice treated SAG with 200 mg/kg for 14 days). The C group was given distilled water and LS, MS; HS groups were given various doses of SAG (50, 100, 200mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. The levels of lactate, serum urea nitrogen, liver glycogen, muscle glycogen, the swimming endurance time and body weight were determined before and after swimming test. Different doses of SAG significantly lengthened the swimming endurance time and increased the levels of liver glycogen and muscle glycogen, while reducing the levels of lactate significantly compared with control group, especially in the MS group. Our data demonstrated SAG has noticeable anti-athletic fatigue effect on mice. These effects were dose-dependent, and the strongest effect on most biomarkers was seen with 100 mg/kg dose.   Key words: Saponins, American ginseng, anti-athletic fatigue activity.