More resistant tendons obtained from the association of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca and endurance training

Abstract

BackgroundPopular Brazilian medicine uses Heteropterys aphrodisiaca infusion as a tonic or stimulant, for the treatment of nervous debility and breakdown and for muscle and bone weakness. This study investigated the effects of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca infusion on the tendon properties and extracellular matrix of rats under endurance training.MethodsWistar rats were grouped as follows: CS- control sedentary, HS- H. aphrodisiaca sedentary, CT-control trained, HT- H. aphrodisiaca trained. The training protocol consisted in running on a motorized treadmill, five times a week, with weekly increase in treadmill speed and duration. Control groups received water while the HS and HT groups received H. aphrodisiaca infusion, daily, by gavage for the 8 weeks of training. Achilles tendons were frozen for biochemical and biomechanical analysis or preserved in Karnovsky's fixative, then processed for histomorphological analysis with light microscopy.ResultsBiomechanical analysis showed significant increase in maximum load, maximum stress, modulus of elasticity and stiffness of the HT animals' tendons. The metalloproteinase-2 activity was reduced in the HT group. The compression region of HT animals' tendons had a stronger and more intense metachromasy, which suggests an increase in glycosaminoglycan concentration in this region of the tendon. The most intense birefringence was observed in both compression and tension regions of HT animals' tendons, which may indicate a higher organizational level of collagen bundles. The hydroxyproline content increased in the HT group.ConclusionsThe association of endurance training with H. aphrodisiaca resulted in more organized collagen bundles and more resistant tendons to support higher loads from intense muscle contraction. Despite the clear anabolic effects of Heteropterys aphrodisiaca and the endurance exercise association, no side effects were observed, such as those found for synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids.

Heteropterys Genus: A Review of its Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

“…In the case of prostate tissue, the administration of the infusion of H. tomentosa showed to be efficient against the side effects of the long term intake of CsA observed by plasmic biochemical parameters and without toxicity signs (Freitas et al, 2013). Other contribution exhibited the capacity of the H. tomentosa for increasing the spermatogenic yield by the increasing of the testosterone production and the spermatogonia mitosis in testes of adult Wistar rats (Gomes et al, 2011).…”

Informal Trade of Psychoactive Herbal Products in the City of Diadema, SP, Brazil: Quality and Potential Risks

“…H. aphrodisiaca is employed as an adaptogen, in the bottled form [58], and shows a protective effect in the germinal epithelium of the male rat reproductive system [59]. No adverse effects were observed during its consumption as infusion [60]. …”

Heteropterys tomentosa (A. Juss.) infusion counteracts Cyclosporin a side effects on the ventral prostate

“…The final infusion had a yield of 6.832% (weight/weight) in terms of initial crude dry weight of plant material, producing 68.66 mg of extract dry weight per ml of infusion [6]. The methodology used to prepare the infusion and its dose were in accordance to that showed in previous studies [6,28-30]…”

“…The method of H. tomentosa infusion preparation and the dose administrated was also based on methods applied in previous studies [6,28-30]. …”