The anti-fatigue effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Pistacia vera seeds (pistachios) on male Wistar rats

Background: Oxidative stress and free radicals play a crucial role in muscle fatigue. Pistacia vera (P. vera) contains manyantioxidant substances such as coenzyme Q-۱۰, vitamin E and beta-carotene. The current study has been designed to evaluatethe effects of P. vera seeds (pistachios) on skeletal muscle fatigue in male Wistar rats.Materials and methods: ۵۰ Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, including the normal, vehicle andtreated groups of pistachio extracts (۱۰, ۱۰۰, and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg). Muscle fatigue was induced by treadmills. Animals would runat the speed of ۲۰ m/min on a treadmill until they showed fatigue signs. This protocol was repeated for ۱۰ days. The hydroalcoholic extracts of pistachios were gavaged ۳۰ minutes before the induction of muscle fatigue every day. On the ۱۱th day, ratswere sacrificed and biochemical parameters such as creatine phospho-kinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartateaminotransferase (AST) levels were measured in the plasma.Results: The different doses of the pistachio extract led to an increase in the fatigue time on days ۲ (۱۰۰ mg/kg) (p<۰.۰۵), ۴(۱۰ and ۱۰۰ mg/kg) (all p<۰.۰۵), ۵ (۱۰ and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg) (all p<۰.۰۵), ۷ (۱۰ and ۱۰۰۰ mg/kg) (all p<۰.۰۵) and ۹ (۱۰۰ mg/kg)(p<۰.۰۵). The induction of muscle fatigue led to an increase in the serum activity of CPK, LDH and AST (all p<۰.۰۱). Thepistachio extract (۱۰ and ۱۰۰ mg/kg) decreased the serum activities of LDH and AST (all p<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it was concluded that pistachios could decrease skeletal muscle fatigue in male Wistar rats.

Keywords:

Pistacia vera , Muscle fatigue , Antioxidant , Rat