An Ethanol Extract of the Rhodophyte Gloiopeltis furcata Improves Exercise Performance in Mice

Abstract

The red seaweed Gloiopeltis furcata is a perennial red alga with a wide spectrum of activities in biological systems, including antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant and cholesterol-reducing activities. In a screening test evaluating the ability of 29 common seaweed species to enhance exercise capacity, an ethanol extract of G. furcata (GFE) had the most potent enhancing effect on swimming endurance and forelimb grip strength in mice. The GFE extract was administered orally to mice at dose of 0.1mg/10 μL/g of body weight for 7 days. To evaluate exercise performance, forelimb grip strength and forced swimming endurance were assessed initially and after 7 days of treatment. The result indicated that GFE concentration-dependently increased forelimb grip strength, swimming endurance, and muscle density (p<0.05), with an optimal concentration of 10 mg/mL of 5% Tween-80. GFE was significantly reduced blood levels of lactate and urea (p<0.05), while the glucose, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels was significantly increased (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that GFE improve physical exercise performance and decrease the oxidative stress induced by the exhaustive exercise.