Protective effects of the roots of Angelica sinensis on strenuous exercise-induced sports anemia in rats. (4th December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chang, Chih-Wei; Chen, Yi-Ming; Hsu, Yi-Ju; Huang, Chi-Chang; Wu, Yu-Tse; Hsu, Mei-Chich
• Is Part Of: Journal of ethnopharmacology. Volume 193(2016)
• Page Start: 169
• Page End: 178
• Publication Date: 2016-12-04
• Subjects: ALP alkaline phosphatase -- ALT alanine aminotransferase -- AS the roots of Angelica sinensis -- ASG strenuous exercise and treated with AS extract group -- AST aspartate aminotransferase -- BAT brown adipose tissue -- BUN blood urea nitrogen -- CAT catalase -- CG control group -- CK creatine kinase -- EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid -- EG strenuous exercise group -- EGTA ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid -- ERK extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways -- H2O2 dihydrogen dioxide -- HCT hematocrit -- HEPES 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid -- Hb hemoglobin -- IHC immunohistochemistry -- IL interleukin -- IS internal standard -- JAK Janus-kinases -- LDH lactic dehydrogenase -- LPS lipopolysaccharide -- mTOR mammalian target of the rapamycin -- NF nuclear factor -- RBC red blood cell -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- SEM standard error of mean -- SMAD son of mother against decapentaplegic -- SOD superoxide dismutase -- TAG triacylglycerol -- TCM traditional Chinese medicine -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- TP total protein -- UA uric acid -- WAT white adipose tissue -- WBC white blood cell; ferulic acid (PubChem CID: 445858) -- Z-ligustilide (PubChem CID: 5319022) -- n-butylidenephthalide (PubChem CID: 642376); Blood -- Iron deficiency -- Hepcidin -- Oxidative stress -- Hemolysis -- Angelica sinensis; Ethnopharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Herbs -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Pharmacognosie -- Périodiques; Herbes -- Périodiques; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.08.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-8741

Abstract

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Sports anemia is a persistent and severe problem in athletes owing to strenuous exercise-induced oxidative stress and hepcidin upregulation. The roots of Angelica sinensis (AS), a familiar traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for replenishing blood since antiquity. Aim of the study: To evaluate the effects of ethanolic AS extract in a 4-week study on sports anemia in female Wistar rats. Materials and methods: To induce anemia, a strenuous exercise protocol consisting of running and swimming was employed with increasing intensity. Animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: control group; strenuous exercise group; and strenuous exercise and AS extract-treated group (300 mg kg −1 d −1 ). After 4 weeks, rats underwent exhaustive swimming and forelimb grip strength test. The blood biochemical markers and hepatic antioxidant activities were determined. Hepatic interleukin-6 and muscle glycogen were observed through immunohistochemical and Periodic acid–Schiff staining, respectively. Results: AS extract (consisting of ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, and n -butylidenephthalide) treatment improved forelimb grip strength and rescued exercise-induced anemia by significantly elevating the red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentrations as well as hematocrit levels ( p <0.05). AS modulated the iron metabolism through decreasing serum hepcidin-25 concentrations by 33.0% ( p <0.05) and increasing serum iron levels by 34.3% ( p <0.01). The hepatic injury marker serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations were also reduced, followed by increased antioxidant enzyme catalase expression in the liver ( p <0.05). Furthermore, substantial attenuation of hepatic interleukin-6 expression and preservation of muscle glycogen content suggested the additional roles of AS acting on sports anemia and physical performance. Conclusion: Our findings evidenced a novel and promising therapeutic approach for AS treatment for rescuing the anemic condition induced following 4 weeks of strenuous exercise. Graphical Abstract: