Effect of Huangjing Yuzhu decoction in alleviating exercise-induced fatigue in mice

Wang Zihe; Xiong Zhengrong; Yi Ming; Chen Junjie; Meng Wenhao; Lei Ting; Wang Guoyou; Peng Teng; Li Ting; Shen Huarui

doi:10.11986/j.issn.1673-873X.2025.08.04

Abstract：Objective To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of Huangjing Yuzhu decoction(HYY)on exercise-induced fatigue in mice and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods Ninety-six Kunming mice were randomized into six groups(n=16 each):blank control,fatigue model,American ginseng group,and HYY low-,medium-,and high-dose groups.Except for the blank control group,mice in the other groups underwent treadmill training to establish an exercise fatigue model.After 7 days of treadmill training,each group received the corresponding oral gavage,and treadmill training continued for another 7 days.During the experiment,time to exhaustion on treadmill and body mass changes were recorded.After 14 days of training,serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),blood lactate(BLA),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels,activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)were measured,and skeletal muscle glycogen(MG)and liver glycogen(LG)levels were determined.Results After 14 days of treadmill training,the fatigue model group showed significant decreases in body mass and time to exhaustion on treadmill,significant increases in serum Scr,BUN,BLA,and MDA levels,a significant decrease in SOD activity,and re-ductions in MG and LG as compared with the blank control group(P＜0.05).Compared with the fatigue model group,all treatment groups showed significantly prolonged time to exhaustion on treadmill(P＜0.05);the HYY high-dose group had a significant reduction in serum Scr(P＜0.05);the American ginseng group and all HYY dose groups showed significant decreases in serum BLA and BUN levels(P＜0.05),with HYY groups displaying a dose-dependent decline;MDA levels were significantly decreased and SOD activity was significantly increased in the American ginseng group and all HYY dose groups(P＜0.05);MG was significantly elevated in the American ginseng and HYY high-dose groups(P＜0.05);LG was significantly increased in the American ginseng,HYY medium-dose and HYY high-dose groups(P＜0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the fatigue model group showed no significant differences in serum ALT and AST activities(P＞0.05);likewise,compared with the fatigue model group,the American ginseng and HYY groups showed no significant changes in ALT and AST activities(P＞0.05).Conclusion HYY exerts a significant anti-fatigue effect in exercise-induced fatigue mice,potentially by reducing accumulation of metabolic byproducts,inhibiting oxidative stress,and increasing ener-gy reserves.