Sonchus arvensis L. is a nutritious vegetable and herbal medicine that is consumed\nworldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-fatigue effects and underlying effects\nof aqueous extract of Sonchus arvensis L. (SA). Male C57BL/6 mice from four groups designated\nvehicle, exercise, exercise with low dose (250 mg/kg) or high dose of SA (500 mg/kg), were trained\nby swimming exercise and orally administrated with SA every other day for 28 days. The anti-fatigue\nactivity was determined by exhaustive swimming test, as well as the muscle structure, levels of\nblood hemoglobin, and metabolites including lactate and urea nitrogen. SA alleviated mice fatigue\nbehaviors by eliminating metabolites, while improving muscle structure and hemoglobin levels.\nMoreover, SA enhanced glycogen synthesis of liver but not muscle via increasing GCK and PEPCK\ngene expressions. Importantly, SA improved antioxidant enzymes expression and activities in both\nliver and muscle, which was possibly related to its primary components polysaccharides and the\nantioxidant components including chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and chicoric acid. Taken together, the\nanti-fatigue effects of SA could be partly explained by its antioxidant activity and mediating effects\non glycogen synthesis and metabolites elimination. Therefore, SA could be a potential nutraceutical\nfor improving exercise performance and alleviating physical fatigue.
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