Abstract:
The effect of standardized Panax ginseng extract
G115 on enzymatic activities, myotypological composition, capillaries and
mitochondrial content was studied in the skeletal muscle of male rats Wistar.
Simultaneously to the G115 administration the rats performed exercise. The
animals were divided into 4 groups. The dose of the ginseng extract G115 was
50 mg/kg. The length of the experimental period was 12 weeks. After
24 hours of inactivity the muscles of the hindlimb were extracted. With regard
to the enzymatic activities of the citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase
(LDH), CS increases with exercise, while the LDH undergoes no major variations,
either due to the exercise or the treatment. Treatment with G115 increases
the capillary density and the mitochondrial content of the red gastrocnemius
muscle. The results suggest that prolonged treatment with G115 increases the
capillary density and the oxidative capacity of the muscles with greater aerobic
potential in a manner similar to the performance of physical exercise. When
exercise and treatment are combined, the effects that are obtained separately
are not potentiated.
Key words:
Panax ginseng
- Araliaceae - skeletal muscle - rat - mitochondrial content - capillar density -
aerobic exercise
