Antifatigue Potential of Loquat Leaf Extract in Physical Stress in C2C12 Myotubes and In Vivo Models

Recent studies suggest that oxidative stress could be one of the mechanisms contributing to fatigue. The purpose of the present study was to determine the antifatigue potential of loquat leaf (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl., EJ) and its component, chlorogenic acid (CA) in C2C12 myotubes and treadmill stress test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST) in animal models. EJ and CA reduced levels of metabolic factors associated with fatigue and enhanced catalytic properties of superoxide dismutase and catalase in C2C12 myotubes. In the FST and TST, EJ and CA decreased immobility time and prolonged exhaustion time. The administration of EJ and CA reduced the levels of the metabolic factors associated with fatigue and augmented the levels of the substances which relieve fatigue. These results prove that EJ alleviates fatigue by increasing antioxidative activity. Therefore, we suggest that EJ may be a potential candidate for management of fatigue as a health functional food.