Abstract:

Objective: To evaluate the anti-fatigue and anti-hypoxia effects of Herba Patriniae polysaccharide (HPP).
Methods: HPP was extracted by using the method of water extraction and subsequent alcohol precipitation, and its
main components were determined. A weight loaded swimming model and a hypoxia model in mice were established.
Meanwhile, the mice were given different dose of HPP by oral gavage, and their hypoxia resistance time and swimming
time until exhaustion were determined, and then blood lactic acid (BLA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) contents, creatine
kinase (CK) activity and the contents of hepatic glycogen and muscle glycogen were measured. Results: HPP was a
protein-bound polysaccharide composed of D-Man, L-Rha, D-GalUA, D-Glc, D-Gal and L-Ara with a molar ratio of
0.53:0.35:3.18:1:2.72:1.27. HPP could prolong the swimming time until exhaustion of mice and significantly increase
the hepatic glycogen level but decrease the levels of BLA and CK. Conclusion: HPP has an anti-fatigue effect but no antihypoxia
effect in mice.

Key words: Herba Patriniae polysaccharide, exhaustive exercise, fatigue, hypoxia