Prunus mume extract ameliorates exercise-induced fatigue in trained rats

This study evaluated the effects of Prunus mume extract on exercise-induced fatigue recovery in a trained rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised either on a control diet (EC) or on diets supplemented with 0.15% (0.15EP), 0.3% (0.3EP), or 0.9% (0.9EP) Prunus mume extract for 4 weeks (n = 18). Each dietary group was divided into two subgroups; at the end of the experimental period, one subgroup was sacrificed immediately after a 1-hour exercise, and the other subgroup was sacrificed after a 30-minute rest following the exercise (n = 9). Compared to the values for EC rats, serum ammonia concentration was significantly lower in 0.3EP and 0.9EP rats that were sacrificed immediately after the exercise-loading and in 0.15EP, 0.3EP and 0.9EP rats that were sacrificed after a 30-minute rest following the exercise. Compared to that in EC rats, serum lactate levels were significantly lower in rats fed 0.15% or higher levels of P. mume extract when they were sacrificed after a 30-minute rest following the exercise. Dietary supplementation with the P. mume extract significantly elevated hepatic and muscle glycogen concentrations of the rats sacrificed immediately after the exercise. P. mume extract significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase activity and increased citrate synthase activity in the skeletal muscles of the rats sacrificed immediately after the exercise-loading. Taken together, these results indicate that the P. mume extract administered during endurance exercise training may enhance the oxidative capacity of exercising skeletal muscle and may induce the muscle to prefer fatty acids for its fuel use rather than amino acids or carbohydrates.