Anti-fatigue activity of Brassica rapa L.extract and correlation among biochemical changes in forced swimming mice

Brassica rapa L.is an edible and medical plant in China used for treating various diseases,especially in the Tibet region.In this study,the chemical constituents of Brassica rapa L.extract(BE)was clarified by UHPLC-MS and anti-fatigue ability of BE was assessed through the behavior test and weight-loaded forced swimming test in mice.Then we determined several biochemical parameters related to fatigue to explore possible reasons.Results indicate that BE could significantly enhance exercise performance in mice,and there was a significant improvement in both grip-strength and the time on rota-rods.Meanwhile,BE showed significant anti-fatigue effects by decreasing the blood lactic acid(BLA),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and creatine kinase(CK)levels and increasing the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels.Increases in superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)were observed and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels was regulated.Liver and muscle glycogen levels and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)levels were also significantly increased.Pearson correlation analysis indicates that fatigue-related indexes including metabolites and energy-related indexes were significantly correlated with antioxidant levels.In conclusion,BE possesses remarkable anti-fatigue activity,thereby shows great potential for improving exercise performance and alleviating physical fatigue and can be considered as a functional food supplement for further development.

Study of the anti-fatigue properties of macamide,a key component in maca water extract,through foodomics and gut microbial genomics

Lepidium meyenii Walp.is a type of food used to fight fatigue,and macamides is the key anti-fatigue component in Lepidium meyenii Walp.water extract(Maca).The mechanisms of action of several foods with anti-fatigue properties lie in the oxidative balance of tissues;however,little attention has been given to the microbiome.The gut microbial community is closely related to dietary choices,as well as exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue.As such,this study used a foodomics approach to analyze the anti-fatigue properties of maca amide,a key component in maca,on the gut microbiome.The key components in maca were identified,and after validation in a mouse model,an analysis of the gut microbiome was performed.The results of database searches and network analyses showed that the key anti-fatigue component of maca was N-benzyl-9Z,12Z-octadecadienamide(Mm).Further analyses revealed that the key microbes metabolizing Mm belonged to Alistipes,Alloprevotella,Parabacteroides,and Butyricimonas genera and the Prevotellaceae in mice.The results of microbial analysis showed that Mm could improve exercise-induced skeletal muscle fatigue in mice by modulating the L-glutamate-ornithine-proline axis through the breakdown of histidine,arginine,and proline.Therefore,from foodomics and gut microbial genomics perspectives,this study demonstrates that macamide is the key anti-fatigue component in maca,and these findings provide new insights for the development of foods that fight fatigue.