title: Black ginger extract increases physical fitness performance and muscular endurance by improving inflammation and energy metabolism.
abstract: We previously reported that polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) in black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) extract (KPE) increased energy production by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in C2C12 myoblasts. We herein evaluated the effects of KPE on physical fitness performance and muscular endurance in mice. Male mice were orally administered KPE for 4 weeks, and then forced swimming test, open-field test, inclined plane test, and wire hanging test were performed. KPE significantly increased the swimming time, motility after swimming, and grip strength. IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA expression levels were decreased in the soleus muscle, whereas peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α and glycogen synthase mRNA expression levels, mitochondrial number, and glycogen content were increased. These results were in agreement with those obtained for KPE and PMFs in C2C12. Therefore, the activation of AMPK by PMFs may be one of the mechanisms by which KPE improves physical fitness performance and muscular endurance.
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, Oryza Oil and Fat Chemical Co., Ltd., 1 Numata, Kitagata-cho, Ichinomiya, Aichi 493-8001, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toda
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, Oryza Oil and Fat Chemical Co., Ltd., 1 Numata, Kitagata-cho, Ichinomiya, Aichi 493-8001, Japan.
authors.forename: Shoketsu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hitoe
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, Oryza Oil and Fat Chemical Co., Ltd., 1 Numata, Kitagata-cho, Ichinomiya, Aichi 493-8001, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Division, Oryza Oil and Fat Chemical Co., Ltd., 1 Numata, Kitagata-cho, Ichinomiya, Aichi 493-8001, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shimoda
keywords: Biochemistry; Biological sciences; Plant biology