Preliminary Observations on the Anti-Fatigue Effects of Radix Astragali Polysaccharides

The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-fatigue effects of Radix Astragali polysaccharides (RAP) using the forced swimming test in mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: one control group and three RAP-treated groups. The mice of control group received an oral administration of saline solution, and the mice of treated group received RAP (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) for 28 days. After 28 days, the mice performed the forced swimming exercise, along with the determination of some biochemical parameters related to fatigue. The data showed that RAP could increase swimming time to exhaustion, liver glycogen and muscle glycogen contents, decrease blood lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen contents. These results indicated that RAP had anti-fatigue effects. RAP may be useful for the prevention and treatment diseases related to fatigue.