Effect of Panax ginseng Extract on Energy Metabolism during Exercise in Rats

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Abstract
We examined the acute effects of ginseng extract (GS) administration on arterial plasma levels of glucose, free fatty acids (FFA), lactic acid (LA) and pyruvic acid (PA) in resting rats, and in animals the swam for 30 or 60 minutes. Compared to vehicle-treated (saline) control animals, GS did not significantly alter these parameters at rest. During exercise, GS-treated animals had higher blood glucose levels than control rats, and markedly lower concentrations of circulating LA and PA. Plasma FFA was also lower in the GS-treated animals at 30 minutes of swimming. These results provide evidence the ginsenosides can significantly alter mechanisms of fuel homeostasis during prolonged exercise, presumably by increasing the biochemical capacity of skelten muscle to oxidize FFA in preference of glucose for cellular energy production.