Purpose: To evaluate whether
Millettiae speciosae
Champ. (Leguminosae) can enhance exercise
performance as well as ascertain if it a potential functional food material.
Methods: The extract of
Millettia speciosa Champ. (MSE) was orally administered to mice in 500, 1000,
2000 mg/kg doses to investigate its anti-fatigue effect in both forced swimming and climbing tests.
Glycogen, triglyceride (TG), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels in
plasma which can indicate alterations in energy utilization during exercise performance, were
determined to analyze the operating exercise mechanisms.
Results: The results showed that swimming time to exhaustion was longer in all treated groups (41.06
± 1.92, 47.84 ± 1.60, 54.00 ± 2.45 min for 500, 10000 and 2000 mg/kg doses, respectively) than for
control (19.45 ± 0.62 min, p < 0.05). The middle and high doses of MSE-treated groups significantly
prolonged the climbing time compared with control (p < 0.05). Furthermore, MSE reduced the content of
TG significantly by increasing fat utilization, delayed the accumulation of BUN and decreased the level
of CK (p < 0.05). In addition, administration of MSE significantly protected the depletion of muscle
glycogen when compared with control (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: The results show for the first time that
Millettia speciosa Champ. (Leguminosae) has
significant anti-fatigue activity, and also suggest that it is a potential functional food material.
Keywords: Radix millettiae speciosae, Anti-fatigue activity, Exercise performance, Serum urea
nitrogen, Gastrocnemius muscle glycogen, Triglyceride, Functional food
