Improvement of Exercise Performance and Attenuation of a Marker of Muscle Damage by Epimedium Brevicornum Supplementation in Mice

Epimedium is a well-known yang-invigorating agent in traditional Chinese medicine that can promote blood circulation, functions as an anti-inflammatory agent and be used to treat male reproductive problems. However, we have limited evidence for the effect of Epimedium on exercise performance and physical fatigue. We aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of Epimedium brevicornum L. leaves water extract (EP) on ergogenic and anti-fatigue functions following a physiological challenge. Male ICR mice from 3 groups (n = 8 per group) were orally administered EP for 2 weeks at 0, 2054 and 4108 mg/kg/ day, designated the vehicle, EP-1X and EP-2X groups, respectively. The grip strength and exhaustive swimming time were higher by 1.14- and 2.77-fold, respectively, with EP-2X than vehicle treatment. Furthermore, after a 15-min swimming test, blood lactate level was lower with the 2 doses of EP than with vehicle alone. In addition, the activity of serum creatine kinase (CK), a marker of muscular damage, was significantly lower with EP-1X than vehicle alone after the same swimming test. On trend analysis, grip strength and endurance swimming time dose-dependently increased with EP dose. Moreover, EP treatments significantly decreased lactate levels and slightly decreased serum CK activity in a dose-independent manner. Therefore, EP could be a potential agent with an anti-fatigue pharmacological effect. With its ergogenic and anti-fatigue functions, EP may have potential as an ergogenic aid in relevant fields.