Effects of Chinese herbal medicine B307 supplementation on muscle endurance and recovery after exhaustive swimming in ICR mice

Abstract Background: Exhaustive exercise may damage muscles due to oxidative stress and inflammation and cause muscle fatigue and soreness. The study investigated the effects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) B307 supplementation on muscle endurance and recovery after exhaustive swimming (ES) in ICR mice. Methods: All mice were subjected to ES in the form of a forced swimming test. Thirty-two male ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: Sham + ES, CHM B307 pretreatment + ES (Pre+ES), CHM B307 posttreatment + ES (Post+ES), and CHM B307 dual treatment + ES (Dual+ES). Using immunohistochemistry, chemiluminescence, and biochemical analysis, muscular endurance, fatigue, oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage were examined and compared among the groups. Results: Our results revealed that the Pre+ES and Dual+ES groups had remarkably better muscular endurance during ES than the Sham+ES and Post+ES groups. In addition, the Pre+ES, Post+ES, and Dual+ES groups had significantly alleviated fatigue, oxidative stress, inflammation, and damage after ES compared with the Sham+ES group. Conclusion: CHM B307 can be a protective supplement against damage from exhaustive exercise because of its antifatigue, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, and antidamage functions.