Effect of Panax Ginseng Extract on Tissue Glycogen and Adrenal Cholesterol Depletion During Prolonged Exercise

Abstract

The acute effect of Panax ginseng (GS), root extract was investigated on the rate of glycogenolysis in white muscle and in liver during prolonged exercise of 3 hours duration in rats. Adrenal cholesterol depletion was also measured. GS inhibited decrease of adrenal cholesterol by 21 % after 3 hours of swimming. GS had no effect on hepatic glycogen, but had pronounced inhibitory effects on endogenous glycogen utilization in white skeletal muscle during exercise. These findings indicate that GS has carbohydrate–sparing actions during prolonged exercise, and suggest a possible physiological basis for ginseng's anti–fatigue properties.

Key Word Index

Panax Ginseng - Glycogen - Exercise - Adrenal Cholesterol - Stress