Anti-fatigue and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous Extract of Echium amoenum on a Rat Model of Acute Fatigue

Echium amoenum Fisch. C.A.Mey. has been used for the management of the common cold, inflammation, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. This study aimed to explore the anti-fatigue and antioxidant effects of aqueous extract of E. amoenum (AEEA) on a rat model of acute fatigue. After preparing for AEEA, 30 Wistar rats were divided into five groups of six animals. Group 1 received distilled water; Group 2 was treated with distilled water and underwent a forced swimming test (FST); Groups 3-5 rats were administered AEEA (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg), and subsequently underwent FST. Then, the levels of some biochemical parameters and oxidative stress markers were measured in the serum and liver tissues of rats. AEEA treatment significantly augmented the swimming time of rats compared to the control group. AEEA-treated animals had increased serum glucose and decreased serum urea levels. AEEA diminished serum activities of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Treating the rats with AEEA activated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and decreased total oxidant status (TOS) in serum. AEEA increased the levels of thiols and glutathione (GSH) as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and CAT in the liver tissues. In the liver tissue, AEEA also induced the activity of SOD and reduced TOS. These results may suggest AEEA as a potential anti-fatigue natural product to ameliorate the adverse effects of acute fatigue on the body.