Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 on Structure and Function of Rat Skeletal Muscle with Exercise-induced Fatigue

Objective To observe the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 group on the structure and function of rat skeletal muscle with exercise-induced fatigue.Methods SD rats were randomized into blank control group,model group and ginsenoside Rg1 group.The rats in the model group and ginsenoside Rg1 group received medium-intensity treadmill running to induce exercise-induced fatigue.Ginsenoside Rg1 group was given ginsenoside Rg1 50 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 2 continuous weeks during the modeling.After treatment,malondialdehyde(MDA)content,superoxide dismustase(SOD) activity,mitochondrial membrane potential and free calcium content in the rat skeletal muscle were measured.Meanwhile,ultrastructure of the skeletal muscle was observed under the electron microscope.Results In the model group,SOD activity,mitochondrial membrane potential,and free calcium content were decreased,MDA content was increased,and the difference was significant as compared with the blank control group(P0.01).The skeletal muscle cell and its mitochondria and nucleus were damaged in the model group,indicating the occurrence of apoptosis.Ginsenoside Rg1 increased SOD activity,mitochondrial membrane potential,and free calcium content,decreased MDA content(P0.01 compared with the model group),and reduced the damage of the skeletal muscle and its mitochondria and nucleus in model rats.Conclusion The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 in counteracting exercise-induced fatigue is probably related with the inhibition of the skeletal muscle structure injury induced by exercise-induced free radical increase and lipid peroxidation.