Effects of Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang, A Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine Formula on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism During Endurance Exercise in Male Rats

Tao-Hong-Si-Wu-Tang (THSWT) is a famous traditional Chinese herbal medicine formula which has traditionally been used in China for about 1000 years. The previous studies have shown that THSWT had anti-fatigue effects but the mechanisms are scanty. The present study was designed to evaluate anti-fatigue mechanisms of THSWT through determining the change of glucose and lipid metabolism. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sedentary Control group (SC); Exercise Control group (EC): Sedenatary plus THSWT Treated group (STT) and Exercise plus THSWT Treated group (ETT). Rats in the STT and ETT groups received 20 mL kg(-1) BW of THSWT solutions. After 28 days, rats in the EC and ETT groups were forced to swim for 90 min with a load (5% BW). The results showed that THSWT could improve blood glucosed levels of rats during exercise as well as increase the liver and muscle glycogen contents while decreasing the plasma Free-Fatty Acid (FFA) levels. The anti- fatigue mechanisms of THSWT might be related to the improvement in the metabolic control of exercise and the activation of energy metabolism.