Protective effect of flavonoids from pericarpium citri reticulatae (chenpi) against oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise

The present study aims at exploring the effects of flavonoids from pericarpium citri reticulatae (FPCR) against oxidative stress induced by exhaustive exercise in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in experimental research. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups that is control (C) group, low-dose FPCR treated (LFT) group, middle-dose FPCR treated (MFT) group and high-dose FPCR treated (HFT) group. The animals of control (C) group received an oral administration of drinking water, and the animals of treated group received FPCR (20, 50 and 100 mg/kg bodyweight, once a day) for 30 days. On the last day of treatment, rats performed an exhaustive running test on a treadmill and endurance time, blood lactate, malondialdehyde (MDA) and super oxide dismutase (SOD) levels of rats were measured. The results suggested that FPCR supplementation increased performance of exhaustive exercise, inhibited the production of blood lactate, reduced lipid per-oxidation, and up-regulated antioxidant enzymes to protect against oxidative stress-induced injury during exercise.