Background:Si-Jun-Zi-Tang(SJZT),a traditional Chinese herbal formula,is designed to boost vitality and promote spleen health,bringing numerous benefits to the body.It has indicated that herbal remedies have a potentia...Background:Si-Jun-Zi-Tang(SJZT),a traditional Chinese herbal formula,is designed to boost vitality and promote spleen health,bringing numerous benefits to the body.It has indicated that herbal remedies have a potential link with enhanced exercise performance,reducing the risk of various chronic diseases.In this study,we will observe the impact of SJZT on the exercise performance of mice and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods:In this study,we used the steam distillation method to obtain the extract of SJZT.Mice were given pure water,low and high doses of SJZT respectively for 4 weeks,followed by the assessment of exercise performance(Forelimb Grip Strength Test,Exhausted Swimming Training,Exhausted Treadmill Running Test,and 10-min Swimming Test).Subsequently,serum and urine biochemical indices,glycogen content,liver mRNA,and protein expression were analyzed after the mice completed 6 weeks of treadmill training.In the cellular experiments,we used the HepG2 cell line treated with SJZT post-gavage serum to mimic the in-vivo SJZT-administered mouse model,and used Western blot,qPCR,and other experimental techniques to thoroughly investigate the potential mechanism of SJZT to enhance exercise performance.Results:Compared with the Vehicle group,the SJZT groups showed increased lactate clearance and elevated liver glycogen levels.In terms of exercise performance,grip strength,exercise capacity,and lactate clearance were increased,and lactate production was decreased in the SJZT groups.In comparison to the Vehicle group,the SJZT groups exhibited decreased RNA and protein expression of p-p38 MAPK,increased RNA and protein expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α,elevated protein expression of p-AMPK,and reduced protein expression of NF-κB.Consistent with the in-vivo results,the in-vitro results indicated that SJZT improved exercise performance by modulating p38 MAPK signaling.Conclusion:These results suggest that SJZT improves exercise performance in mice by a mechanism that may be related to the inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.展开更多
基金supported by Basic Scientific Research Fund of Education Department of Liaoning Province,China(LJ212410161100 to Z-L.L.)Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province,China(2022-MS-326 to Z-L.L.and 2021-BS-294 to B.W.)+1 种基金Dengfeng project of Dalian medical discipline priority(2022ZZ258 and 2023ZZ025 to B.W.)China Foundation For Youth Entrepreneurship And Employment(P24041687730 to L-N.X.).
文摘Background:Si-Jun-Zi-Tang(SJZT),a traditional Chinese herbal formula,is designed to boost vitality and promote spleen health,bringing numerous benefits to the body.It has indicated that herbal remedies have a potential link with enhanced exercise performance,reducing the risk of various chronic diseases.In this study,we will observe the impact of SJZT on the exercise performance of mice and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods:In this study,we used the steam distillation method to obtain the extract of SJZT.Mice were given pure water,low and high doses of SJZT respectively for 4 weeks,followed by the assessment of exercise performance(Forelimb Grip Strength Test,Exhausted Swimming Training,Exhausted Treadmill Running Test,and 10-min Swimming Test).Subsequently,serum and urine biochemical indices,glycogen content,liver mRNA,and protein expression were analyzed after the mice completed 6 weeks of treadmill training.In the cellular experiments,we used the HepG2 cell line treated with SJZT post-gavage serum to mimic the in-vivo SJZT-administered mouse model,and used Western blot,qPCR,and other experimental techniques to thoroughly investigate the potential mechanism of SJZT to enhance exercise performance.Results:Compared with the Vehicle group,the SJZT groups showed increased lactate clearance and elevated liver glycogen levels.In terms of exercise performance,grip strength,exercise capacity,and lactate clearance were increased,and lactate production was decreased in the SJZT groups.In comparison to the Vehicle group,the SJZT groups exhibited decreased RNA and protein expression of p-p38 MAPK,increased RNA and protein expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α,elevated protein expression of p-AMPK,and reduced protein expression of NF-κB.Consistent with the in-vivo results,the in-vitro results indicated that SJZT improved exercise performance by modulating p38 MAPK signaling.Conclusion:These results suggest that SJZT improves exercise performance in mice by a mechanism that may be related to the inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
