Abstract

This study investigated the effect of water and n-butanol fractions from Pedicularis decoraFranch roots on oxidative stress induced by a single bout of swimming exercise. ICR mice were treated orally with water and n-butanol fractions for three weeks. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, transaminases activities significantly decreased and superoxide dismutases (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, haemoglobin (Hb) and glycogen concentrations significantly increased in sedentary mice. The results also showed that the water and n-butanol fractions protected mice from a single bout swimming exercise induced oxidative stress through a decrease in LPO levels, SOD, GPx, LDH, transaminases activities and an increase in Hb, glycogen and glucose concentrations. Taken together, the two fractions from P. decora ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by a single bout of swimming. The n-butanol fraction is more effective than the water fraction.

Key words: Pedicularis decora Franch, n-butanol fraction, water fraction, oxidative stress, a single bout of swimming exercise.