Effects of <i>Biebersteinia multifida</i> DC. Root Extract on Physical Stamina in Male Mice

Abstract

Biebersteinia multifida DC. has been used for the purpose of development of physical strength in iranian folk medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract on performance of the Forced Swimming Test (FST), and on blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue: Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Creatine Kinase (CK), Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH), Glucose (Glc), and Total Protein (TP). Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract was orally administered to mice at the doses 4, 7 and 10 mg/kg continuously once per day for 1 and 7 days using a feeding atraumatic needle. After 7 days, on FST the immobility time was decreased in the treated-groups at the doses 4 and 7 mg/kg, but after 1 day, only the immobility time of the treated- group at the dose of 4 mg/kg was decreased significantly. In addition, the content of Glc and TP in the blood serum was significantly increased in the groups receiving 4 and 7 mg/kg of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract for 7 days and LDH was decreased significantly. However, the levels of BUN and CK did not show a significant change. The results predict a potential benefit of Biebersteinia multifida DC. root extract as an anti-fatigue treatment and for improving physical stamina.