Microencapsulated hawthorn berry polyphenols alleviate exercise fatigue in mice by regulating AMPK signaling pathway and balancing intestinal microflora

This study prepared hawthorn polyphenol microcapsules (HPM) by microencapsulation and revealed that its potential mechanism of action in fatigued mice involves regulation of AMPK signaling pathway and balancing the intestinal microflora. Spray drying process improved thermal stability of hawthorn polyphenol. After HPM treatment, the weight-bearing swimming ability of fatigued mice was significantly improved (p < 0.05). HPM can effectively improve skeletal muscle substrate consumption and product metabolism and enhance antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). Supplementation with HPM can provide energy through regulation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3Β pathway. HPM activated the AMPK pathway (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) to improve mitochondrial dysfunction and cell metabolism and inhibited the NF-κB inflammatory pathway (p < 0.05) in fatigued mice. In addition, HPM can exhibit an anti-fatigue effect by improving the diversity of gut microbial species. Therefore, HPM can be used as a potential anti-fatigue nutritional supplement in functional foods to alleviate exercise fatigue.