ANTIOXIDANT EFFECTS OF NOOTKATONE ON ENHANCING PHYSICAL ENDURANCE IN MICE SUBJECTED TO TREADMILL EXERCISE

The study was designed to evaluate the anti-fatigue activity and biochemical effects of nootkatone in Balb-C mice. Thirty-six mice weighing 33-41g were randomly divided into six groups; 1) sedentary group, 2) sedentary group fed with 50 mg/kg nootkatone, 3) control group (exercise control),  4) exercise with 10mg/kg nootkatone group, 5) exercise with 25mg/kg nootkatone and 6) exercise with 50mg/kg nootkatone. Nootkatone was administered orally to mice from all groups. The anti-fatigue activity was assessed using a treadmill running test. Biochemical parameters were also evaluated. Nootkatone was found to increase run time on the treadmill and reverse the fatigue-induced reduction in liver/muscle glycogen, in addition to reducing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and lactic acid. Moreover, nootkatone increases the activity of enzymes such as catalases, SOD and decreases lipid peroxidation. The data suggested that the nootkatone could extend the treadmill exercise duration in mice, as well as increase the tissue glycogen contents and decrease the malondialdehyde (MDA), lactic acid, BUN, CK and LDH levels.  There was a significant increase in the antioxidant levels in the tissues such as SOD and CAT. These results also support that nootkatone with 50mg/body weight is the optimum concentration to act against fatigue. However, further studies are necessary to clarify the bioactive principles responsible for the mechanism involved in the anti-fatigue properties of nootkatone.