Anti-fatigue effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) on preventing mitochondria-mediated muscle damage and oxidative stress in vivo and vitro. Issue 7 (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Hongkang; Xu, Wenqian; Wang, Ning; Jiang, Wenhao; Cheng, Yuliang; Guo, Yahui; Yao, Weirong; Hu, Bin; Du, Peng; Qian, He
• Is Part Of: Food & function. Volume 12:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 3132
• Page End: 3141
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; 664.07
• DOI: 10.1039/d1fo00383f
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-6496

Abstract

Abstract : We investigated the role of Maca aqueous extract on muscle during exercise-induced fatigue both in vivo and in vitro .. Abstract : Maca ( Lepidium meyenii Walp.) has emerged as a popular functional plant food due to its various pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-fatigue activity. In this study, we investigated the role of Maca aqueous extract (ME) on muscle during exercise-induced fatigue both in vivo and in vitro . As a result, ME significantly enhanced mouse leg grip-strength and increased exercise endurance in the rota-rod test. ME could clear the accumulation of metabolites – blood lactic acid (BLA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after weight-loaded forced swimming. Focusing on muscle, we found that the administration of ME strengthened mouse muscle structures so that exercise-induced metabolic stress was alleviated by upregulating NAD + /NADH. Furthermore, ME inhibited the reduction of the viability and accumulation of ROS by treatment with H2 O2 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. ME-induced activation of energy metabolism in skeletal muscle might up-regulate mitochondrial biogenesis and function, thereby protecting against oxidative stress-induced damage. We concluded that the effects of Maca played a crucial role in the regulation of exercise-induced fatigue in mouse muscle, which could be expected to serve as a functional food supplement for improving exercise performance and alleviating physical fatigue.