Adaptogenic and stamina improving activities of Rubia peregrina and Asparagus acutifolius in mice

In our previous studies we found that ethanolic extract of aerial part of Rubia peregrina and Asparagus acutifolius possess antioxidant activity. In the present study we investigated adaptogenic and physical endurance improving activities of ethanolic extracts of Rubia peregrina L. (Family – Rubiaceae; Rp) and Asparagus acutifolius Linn (Family – Liliaceae; Aa) in mice using well established animal methods. The adaptogenic activity was measured using milk-induced leukocytosis in mice [1]. The leukocyte count in the milk treated mice was 6750±227.76/cubic mm. Aa (100 and 200mg/kg i.p.) reduced the leukocyte count by 23% and 36% respectively whereas, Rp (100 and 200mg/kg i.p.) reduced the leukocyte count by 37% and 43.3% respectively (P<0.05). The effect on physical endurance was assessed using the swimming exercise test [2]. Mice were made to swim to exhaustion for the determination of maximal swimming time (MST), and the mice were removed from the bath when they were unable to surface on three repeated attempts. No training preceded the experimental session and the MST was determined both before and after drug treatment. Rp (100 and 200mg/kg i.p.) improved the endurance by 150% and 163.2% and Aa (100 and 200mg/kg i.p.) improved the endurance by 140% and 156% respectively (P<0.05). Caffeine (15mg/kg i.p.) improved endurance by 190%. The study thus concludes adaptogenic and stamina improving activities of Rubia peregrina and Asparagus acutifolius. The authors are grateful to R. A. S. – Ass., P.I., BB.CC., Inform., Spett. e Sport (Italy) for financial support.

References: 1. Brekhman II, Dardymove IV. 1969 Ann. Rev. Pharmacol. 9: 419–425.

2. Molinengo, L., Orsetti, M. 1976 Neuropharmacol. 15: 257–260.