SummaryThe present study was designed to determine the effect of fenugreek seed extract (FG) on endurance capacity in male mice aged 4 wk. Mice were given orally either vehicle or FG (150, 300 mg/kg body weight) by stomach intubation for 4 wk. The 300 mg/ kg FG group showed a significant increase in swimming time to exhaustion as compared to the control group. In the FG groups, blood lactate concentration was significantly lower than in the control group. In the control group, plasma non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and plasma glucose were decreased by swimming exercise. But in the FG group, NEFA and plasma glucose were significantly increased by swimming. FG treatment also significantly decreased fat accumulation. These results suggest that improvement in swimming endurance by the administration of FG is caused by the increase in utilization of fatty acids as an energy source. Key Words fenugreek, endurance capacity, fatigue Exercise-induced fatigue has been attributed to the following factors. First, myoglobin and an energy metabolic system coenzyme leak out into the blood from cells and tissues damaged by exercise, and destruction of red blood cells occurs. Second, exercise promotes consumption of energy sources such as glycogen by mobilizing internal energy metabolism to the maximum and using and depleting the energy source. Thirdly, through these processes, exercise causes the production and accumulation of metabolism-related substances, such as lactic acid, in the body ( 1 -3 ). Therefore, recovery from exercise fatigue requires repair of the damage that has occurred in the body. Specifically, resynthesis of the leaked cell and tissue components and consumed energy sources is needed, as are decomposition and removal of internal reduction substances.During in vivo screening for endurance capacity and anti-fatigue foods, an extract of fenugreek seeds was found to have a potent enhancing effect on endurance capacity in mice.Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum graecum ) is an annual plant from the family Leguminosae, cultivated in Mediterranean countries and India. The seeds of fenugreek have long been used as a traditional medicine and a traditional food consumed during pregnancy and lactation. Moreover, fenugreek seeds have pungent aromatic properties, and they are used as one of the spices in curry. The nutrient composition of fenugreek seeds is (in %): moisture 9.0; protein 26.0; fat 7.0; saponins 8-10; total dietary fibre 48.0 ( 4 , 5 ). Recently, it has been reported that fenugreek improves diabetes ( 6 -8 ), hypercholesterolemia ( 9 ), gastric ulcer ( 10 ), hyperthyroidism ( 11 ), neoplasia ( 12 ), and inflammation ( 13 ). However, the chronic effects of fenugreek seeds on endurance capacity have not been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated endurance capacity by administering fenugreek seed extract to mice and then subjecting the animals to exercise in the form of swimming.
MATERIALS AND METHODSExtract of fenugreek seeds. The extract of fenugreek seeds used in this study was supplied by TSI (T...
