Protective effect of a lignan-enriched extract of Fructus schisandrae on physical exercise induced muscle damage in rats

We have demonstrated that pretreatment with a lignan-enriched extract of Fructus schisandrae (FS) protected against physical exercise-induced muscle damage in rats. The muscle protection afforded by FS pretreatment was associated with a significant enhancement in hepatic antioxidant status, as assessed by hepatic glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Pretreating rats with alpha-tocopherol acetate, though decreasing the MDA level in skeletal muscle, did not protect against exercise-induced muscle damage or improve hepatic antioxidant status in exercised rats. The results indicate that the protective effect of FS pretreatment on physical exercise-induced muscle damage may result from the enhancement of hepatic GSH status, thereby providing sufficient GSH for effective antioxidant protection of skeletal muscle during exercise.