Effects of curcumin on physical fatigue and oxidative damage in forced swimming mice

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of curcumin on physical fatigue and oxidative damage induced by forced swimming exercise in mice. The mice were divided into quiet group and exercise group, and then the above two groups were divided into control group and medication group. The medication group received curcumin (100 mg/kg), while the control group received physiological saline for 28 days. The exercise group performed swimming exercise for 4 weeks and then performed exhaustive exercise. Exhaustive swimming time and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in liver, as well as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) contents were measured. The data showed that curcumin could extend exhaustive swimming times of the mice, as well as increase the SOD contents in liver, while decreasing MDA contents in liver and ALT contents in serum. This study indicated that curcumin has anti-fatigue and protective effects against exercise induced oxidative damage.