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Planta Med 1984; 50(2): 151-154
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969657
Research Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Panax ginseng Extract on Energy Metabolism during Exercise in Rats

E. V. Avakian1 , R. B. Sugimoto2 , S. Taguchi3 , S. M. Horvath2
  • 1Applied Physiology Laboratory, College of Human Development and Performance, Univesity of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA
  • 2Institute of Environmental Stress and Department of Ergonomics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
  • 3Human Performance Laboratory, College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto University, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto 606, Japan
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Publication Date:
26 February 2007 (online)

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Abstract

We examined the acute effects of ginseng extract (GS) administration on arterial plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), lactic acid (LA) and pyruvic acid (PA) in resting rats, and in animals the swam for 30 or 60 minutes. Compared to vehicle-treated (saline) control animals, GS did not significantly alter these parameters at rest. During exercise, GS-treated animals had higher blood glucose levels than control rats, and markedly lower concentrations of circulating LA and PA. Plasma FFA was also lower in the GS-treated animals at 30 minutes of swimming. These results provide evidence the ginsenosides can significantly alter mechanisms of fuel homeostasis during prolonged exercise, presumably by increasing the biochemical capacity of skelten muscle to oxidize FFA in preference of glucose for cellular energy production.