Abstract
Introduction: Overtraining may accelerate the aging process due to the accumulation of oxidative damage and a progressive decline in hormone synthesis and action. The extract of Angelica keiskei leaves contains high secondary metabolites with remarkable antioxidant capacity. This study aimed to investigate the effect of A. keiskei leaves extract against overtraining-related oxidative stress and hormonal changes in male mice.
Methods: In this experimental experiment thirty male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five equal-sized groups. The negative control (NC) group received only 1 mL of water by orogastric gavage/day as a placebo. The overtrained (OT) group received 1 mL of placebo orally and a forced swimming regimen. The treatment groups received 20 (T20), 50 (T50), or 100 (T100) mg/kg BW/day of A. keiskei leaves extract and a forced swimming regimen. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), cortisol, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and testosterone were measured before and after treatment for 28 days using the ELISA method.
Results: The OT group experienced depletion in SOD (P<0.001), IGF-1 (P<0.01), and testosterone (P<0.05) levels, as well as elevation in MDA (P=0.001) and cortisol (P<0.001) levels. The administration of A. keiskei leaves extract in the T100 group significantly increased SOD (P<0.001), reduced MDA (P<0.001), decreased cortisol (P<0.001), elevated IGF-1 (P<0.001), and improved testosterone (P<0.001) compared to the OT group.
Conclusion: The present findings clearly indicate that A. keiskei extract mitigates oxidative stress and hormonal dysregulation associated with overtraining, suggesting its potential as an anti-aging and adaptogenic supplement.