anti-fatigue
Anti-fatigue research in plant science investigates bioactive compounds derived from medicinal plants that help organisms resist physical and mental exhaustion. This field examines how plant-based substances modulate energy metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and enhance endurance at the cellular level. Understanding these mechanisms supports the development of evidence-based applications for adaptogenic and tonic herbs used in traditional medicine systems.
PubMed · 2026-03-25
A water extract from White Atractylodes, a herb long used in Chinese medicine for fatigue and weakness, was scientifically shown to boost exercise endurance in mice by stimulating the growth of new mitochondria — the energy-producing structures inside muscle cells — through a specific chain of molecular signals.
AMWE is composed of 23.84% polysaccharides, 2.44% Atractylenolide II, and 7.22% Atractylenolide III — the chemical fingerprint linked to its anti-fatigue effects.
Treated mice showed improved grip strength and exercise endurance, increased muscle and liver glycogen storage, and significantly reduced fatigue markers including lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase, and blood urea nitrogen.
AMWE activated the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling cascade, which upregulated NRF1 and TFAM to drive mitochondrial biogenesis, enhance TCA cycle flux, and increase ATP synthesis in muscle tissue.
