Composition for alleviating fatigue or enhancing exercise performance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for alleviating fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof, or a fraction thereof.

Description

Composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof; or a fraction thereof.

[0002] Although the average life expectancy of Koreans has increased, they are exposed to various adult diseases due to stress and fatigue, and there is a high prevalence of chronic fatigue caused by imbalances in physical rhythms resulting from mental overload. The dictionary definition of fatigue refers to lethargy or boredom resulting from physical or mental effort; specifically, it describes a condition where the strength or sensitivity of cells, muscles, and organs temporarily declines after continuous activity or stimulation, resulting in abnormal exhaustion after daily activities, a state of being unable to perform tasks requiring sustained effort or concentration due to a lack of energy, or a general lack of energy to the extent that one cannot perform daily activities.

[0003] This is distinguished from disease (or disorder), which is a state in which the physical or mental functionality of an organism becomes abnormal; fatigue in a narrower sense is a state in which work capacity is reduced primarily due to physical fatigue, and is also distinguished from stress, which is a state in which homeostasis is disrupted due to mental fatigue (KFDA, Establishment of Functional Evaluation System Related to Fatigue Recovery in Health Functional Foods, Functional Evaluation Guide for Health Functional Foods (Related to Fatigue Improvement), July 2002)).

[0004] If fatigue persists, it can develop into chronic fatigue syndrome. Unlike transient fatigue that recovers with a short rest, chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest and leaves the patient very debilitated, but the cause of this has not yet been clearly identified.

[0005] Recovery from physical fatigue requires a sufficient supply of energy sources, rest, and the inhibition and elimination of fatigue-causing substances within the body; however, in reality, adequate nutrition and rest are not being achieved in today's busy society. Consequently, academia and industry have recently been conducting extensive research utilizing natural products for fatigue recovery, endurance enhancement, and immune system boosting.

[0006] Meanwhile, muscle strength refers to the maximum force that muscles or muscle tissue can exert, and athletic performance refers to the ability to perform physical movements in daily life or sports quickly, strongly, for a long time, and skillfully using this muscle strength. When muscle is lost due to congenital physical disabilities or acquired reasons such as being bedridden in a hospital for a long period, muscle strength decreases, leading to a decline in athletic performance; therefore, it is required to enhance athletic performance, and in the case of athletes, it is required to enhance athletic performance to improve their athletic performance.

[0007] Methods to enhance athletic performance include scientific training tailored to specific sports, dietary regimens, improvements in technical equipment, and ergogenic aids. Among these methods, research on functional aids for enhancing athletic performance is actively being conducted in both the East and the West. However, most ergogenic aids used in the West, such as caffeine and anabolic steroids, have side effects and pose a risk of doping. Consequently, although research aimed at developing functional aids using natural products with guaranteed safety has recently been actively underway, the current situation remains inadequate. Therefore, research is required on aids that can effectively enhance athletic performance without side effects.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a mixture of polysaccharide isolates thereof.

[0009] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising the step of administering to an individual a composition comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof, for use in improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof.

[0012] As one specific example, the fatigue is characterized by including physical fatigue, muscle fatigue, or both.

[0013] In another specific example, the extract is characterized by being extracted with a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, organic solvents, and mixed solvents thereof.

[0014] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the extract is characterized by containing Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora in a weight ratio of 1:1.4 to 3.5:1.2 to 3.

[0015] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the mixed extract is characterized as being a mixed extract of Chinese angelica, Chinese cnidium, or Chinese cnidium and peony.

[0016] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the polysaccharide isolate is characterized as being an ethanol polysaccharide isolate.

[0017] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the ethanol is characterized as being 60 to 100% ethanol.

[0018] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the mixture is characterized by containing a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof in a ratio of 60~70:30~40.

[0019] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the mixture is characterized by being included in an amount of 0.001 to 90 weight% based on the total weight of the composition.

[0020] As a specific example according to any one of the above specific examples, the composition can increase the expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1).

[0021] As an embodiment according to any one of the above embodiments, the composition can activate the Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2) pathway.

[0022] As an embodiment according to any one of the above embodiments, the composition can increase the expression of one or more selected from the group consisting of SOD, CAT, Txn, Keap1, NOQ1, GPx, Gclc, and GSr.

[0023] As an example according to any one of the above examples, the composition is characterized as being a food composition.

[0024] As an embodiment according to any one of the above embodiments, the food composition is characterized by being prepared as a powder, granule, tablet, capsule, syrup, or beverage.

[0025] As an example according to one of the above examples, the food may be a health functional food.

[0026] Another aspect of the present invention embodying the present invention is a method for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising the step of administering to an individual a composition comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof.

[0027] Another aspect of the present invention embodying the present invention is the use of a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance.

[0028]

[0029] According to the present invention, a composition comprising a mixture of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora extracts and a polysaccharide isolate thereof, or a fraction thereof, as an active ingredient can effectively improve accumulated physical fatigue and enhance exercise performance by multidimensionally regulating various factors involved in physical fatigue and / or exercise performance enhancement, and thus can be applied as a food composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance.

[0030] Figure 1 is the result of confirming the antioxidant efficacy by treating L6 skeletal muscle cells with a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2 is the result of confirming the fatigue-improving efficacy by treating C2C12 myotube cells with a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention at different concentrations and measuring the ATP and glycogen content.

[0032] Figure 3 is the result of comparing the ATP content by treating C2C12 myotube cells with the composition according to one embodiment of the present invention and the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

[0033] Figure 4 is the result of comparing the glycogen content by treating C2C12 myotube cells with the composition according to one embodiment of the present invention and the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

[0034] Figure 5 shows the results of confirming the expression levels of glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) by treating C2C12 myotube cells with a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention at different concentrations.

[0035] Figure 6 shows the results of a cylinder rolling test of a mouse model administered with a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 7 shows the results of forced swimming exercise in a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 8 is the result of confirming the glucose content in the blood of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 9 is the result of confirming the creatine kinase (CK) content in the blood of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 10 is the result of confirming the glycogen content in the muscle tissue of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 11 is the result of analyzing antioxidant factors (NRf-2, HO-1) in the tissue of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention using RT-qPCR.

[0041] Figure 12 is the result of Western blot analysis of antioxidant factors (NRf-2, HO-1) in the tissue of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 13 shows the results of immunochemical staining of calf muscle tissue of a mouse model administered a composition according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Each description and embodiment disclosed herein may be applied to each other description and embodiment. That is, all combinations of the various elements disclosed herein fall within the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the specific descriptions provided below.

[0044] In addition, a person skilled in the art can recognize or identify a number of equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described in this application using only ordinary experiments. In addition, such equivalents are intended to be included in the invention.

[0045] Furthermore, numerous papers and patent documents are referenced and cited throughout this specification. The disclosures of the cited papers and patent documents are incorporated by reference into this specification in their entirety to more clearly explain the state of the art to which the present invention pertains and the content of the present invention.

[0046] Furthermore, throughout the specification of the present invention, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components.

[0047] In the present invention, the term "about" may be presented before a specific numerical value. As used in the present invention, the term "about" includes not only the exact number specified after the term, but also a range that is approximately that number or close to that number. By considering the context in which the number is presented, it can be determined whether it is close to or nearly that specific number mentioned. For example, the term "about" may refer to a range of -10% to +10% of a numerical value. For another example, the term "about" may refer to a range of -5% to +5% of a given numerical value. However, it is not limited thereto.

[0048]

[0049] The present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0050] The present invention is based on the discovery that a mixture of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora extracts; and a mixture of polysaccharide isolates thereof can effectively improve accumulated physical fatigue and enhance exercise performance by activating the Nrf-2 pathway to increase the expression of HO-1, thereby multidimensionally regulating various factors involved in physical fatigue and / or exercise performance enhancement.

[0051]

[0052] One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective provides a composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof; or a fraction thereof.

[0053]

[0054] In the present invention, the term “Dang-gui” refers to an angiosperm belonging to the Apiaceae family, which has been used medicinally in East Asia for a long time, and in particular, the root portion of Dang-gui is generally used. Therefore, the dried root of Dang-gui is also referred to interchangeably as “Dang-gui.”

[0055] Depending on the place of origin, the Chinese Angelica (Angelica sinensis(Oliv.) Diels), which is of Chinese origin, is distinguished from the Korean Angelica gigasNakai, the Japanese Angelica (Angelica acutiloba(Siebold. & Zucc.) Kitag., or the Hokkaido Angelica (Angelica acutiloba(Siebold. & Zucc.) Kitag. var. sugiyamae Hikino).

[0056] Chinese Angelica has a warm energy and a sweet yet pungent taste; generally, it is sweeter and less spicy than Korean Angelica. The efficacy of Chinese Angelica lies in its blood-replenishing effect, which generates blood when there is a deficiency, and Angelica made from its roots exhibits excellent blood-replenishing properties. However, Angelica made from Korean Angelica roots is more effective at promoting smooth blood circulation rather than blood-replenishing, and it possesses strong anticancer and blood pressure-lowering effects. Pharmacologically, Angelica is known to promote coronary artery blood flow and stimulate the vigorous production of red blood cells.

[0057] In the present invention, "Cheongung" includes Ligusticum chuanxionghort. or Cnidium officinale depending on the place of origin; it is a perennial herb belonging to the Apiaceae family of the order Apiaceae in the class Dicotyledonous plants, and is generally cultivated as a medicinal plant. It has sedative, analgesic, and tonic effects and is used to treat headaches, anemia, gynecological diseases, etc. The rhizomes are dug up from September to November, the leaves and stems are removed, and after drying in the sun, they are decocted for consumption or used in the form of pills or powder.

[0058] In the present invention, the term “peony (Paeonia lactiflora Pallas)” refers to a perennial plant of the genus Paeonia in the family Paeoniaceae that grows in mountainous areas and is used for horticulture due to its beautiful flowers. Additionally, its roots are used as a medicinal herb for pain relief, abdominal pain, menstrual pain, amenorrhea, hemoptysis, anemia, bruises, etc. In China, it was already cultivated as an ornamental plant during the Qin and Ming dynasties, and its cultivation history is older than that of the peony. Through the Song dynasty and into the Qing dynasty, dozens of varieties were recorded, and it is distributed in Korea, Mongolia, and Eastern Siberia.

[0059] In this specification, the peony may include one or more selected from the group consisting of peony, white peony, red peony, tiger peony, and true peony, and may be used without limitation regardless of the processing method.

[0060] The above-mentioned Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora may be purchased commercially, or used without restriction if harvested from nature or cultivated.

[0061]

[0062] In the present invention, the term "extract" refers to a mixed extract containing the above-mentioned Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, wherein the mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora can be extracted from various organs of natural, hybrid, or variant plants, and specifically, can be extracted from roots, above-ground parts, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit bodies, fruit peels, as well as plant tissue cultures.

[0063] The above "mixed extract" is a mixed extract comprising Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora. It may be an extract prepared by first mixing the three substances and then extracting them together, or an extract prepared by individually extracting each substance and then mixing the extracts. Additionally, any mixed extract prepared by any known method of preparing a mixed extract is included without limitation.

[0064] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extract comprises the extract itself and all formulations of extracts that can be formed using the extract, such as an extract obtained by extraction treatment of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, a diluted or concentrated extract, a dried product obtained by drying the extract, a modified or purified product thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0065] The above extract may be extracted with a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, organic solvents, and mixed solvents thereof, but is not limited thereto.

[0066] If the solvent of the above extract is water, it may include a cold water extract or a hot water extract.

[0067] In one embodiment, the organic solvent may be a straight-chain or branched alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, specifically one or more selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, and hexanol, and more specifically ethanol, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] In one embodiment, the organic solvent may be a hydrocarbon solvent such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, benzene, n-hexane, diethyl ether, dichloromethane, chloroform, or a non-polar organic solvent such as petroleum ether, methyl acetate, benzene, hexane, chloroform, methylene chloride, dimethyl ether, ethyl acetate, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] The above solvent may also include an aqueous solution of an organic solvent, and its concentration is not particularly limited but may be 1 to 99% (v / v), specifically 60 to 98% (v / v), more specifically 80 to 95% (v / v), and even more specifically 95% (v / v).

[0070] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extraction temperature may be in the range of 20°C to 100°C, and the extraction period may be an extract obtained using an extraction method such as hot water extraction, cold maceration extraction, reflux cooling extraction, or ultrasonic extraction for about 1 hour to 10 days, but is not limited to the extraction temperature, extraction period, or extraction method.

[0071] The above extract may contain Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora in a weight ratio of about 1 to 10:1 to 10:1 to 10, and for example, may contain in a weight ratio of about 1 to 5:1 to 5:1 to 5, 1:1.4 to 3.5:1.2 to 3, 1:1.5 to 3:1.3 to 2.5, 1:1.5 to 2:1.3 to 1.6, 1:1.5 to 1.8:1.3 to 1.5, or 1:1.6:1.3, but is not limited thereto.

[0072]

[0073] As one specific example, the extract may be a mixed extract comprising Chinese angelica, Chinese Ligusticum or Ligusticum chuanxiong and peony in a weight ratio of 1:1.6:1.3.

[0074] As one specific example, the extract may be a mixed extract containing Chinese angelica, Chinese Ligusticum, and peony in a weight ratio of 1:1.6:1.3.

[0075]

[0076] The extract of the present invention may optionally include extracts of known natural substances or known ingredients that improve fatigue or enhance exercise performance.

[0077]

[0078] In the present invention, the term "polysaccharide isolate" comprises a polysaccharide precipitated by adding a solvent to the mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, wherein the polysaccharide is also called a polysaccharide and may comprise one or more polysaccharides.

[0079] The method for obtaining the polysaccharide isolate in the present invention is not particularly limited and may be carried out according to methods commonly used in the art. Non-limiting examples of the above method may include a polysaccharide isolate obtained from the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora of the present invention by treating the extracts with a predetermined solvent, and, as an example, a polysaccharide isolate produced by adding ethanol to the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora of the present invention, but are not limited thereto.

[0080] In the present invention, the type of solvent used to obtain the polysaccharide isolate is not particularly limited, and any solvent known in the art may be used. Non-limiting examples of the solvent may include water, organic solvents, or a mixture thereof, and these may be used alone or in combination of one or more, but are not limited thereto.

[0081] In one embodiment, the organic solvent may be a straight-chain or branched alcohol having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, specifically one or more selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, and hexanol, specifically ethanol, but is not limited thereto.

[0082] In addition, the organic solvent may be one or more selected from the group consisting of dichloromethane, diethyl ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, but is not limited thereto.

[0083] In one embodiment of the present invention, the polysaccharide isolate may be an ethanol polysaccharide isolate, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] In one embodiment, the ethanol polysaccharide isolate may be a 60% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, a 70% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, an 80% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, an 85% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, a 90% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, a 95% to 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, an 80% to 95% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, or an 85% to 95% ethanol polysaccharide isolate; specifically, it may be a 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 100% ethanol polysaccharide isolate, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] In the present invention, the term "mixture" refers to a mixture of the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora prepared in the present invention and polysaccharide isolates obtained by treating each of the said extracts with a predetermined solvent, and the mixing ratio is not particularly limited.

[0086] By using the extract of each of the above-mentioned plants in combination with their polysaccharide isolates, the above-mentioned composition can achieve significantly superior effects compared to cases containing only the extract of a single plant, its polysaccharide isolate, or the polysaccharide alone. Furthermore, the above-mentioned composition can exhibit significantly superior immune-enhancing or strengthening effects compared to cases containing plant extracts, their polysaccharide isolates, or their polysaccharides other than Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora.

[0087] When the above mixture is a mixture of an extract and a polysaccharide isolate, the extract and the polysaccharide isolate may be included in a weight ratio of about 40 to 80:20 to 60, for example, in a weight ratio of about 45 to 75:25 to 55, 50 to 70:30 to 50, or 60 to 70:30 to 40, and specifically in a weight ratio of 60:40, but is not limited thereto.

[0088]

[0089] In the present invention, the term "fraction thereof" refers to a result obtained by performing fractionation to separate a specific component or a specific group of components from a mixture containing various constituent components.

[0090] The fractionation method for obtaining the fraction in the present invention is not particularly limited and can be performed according to methods commonly used in the art. A non-limiting example of the fractionation method may be a fraction obtained by treating a mixture of the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora of the present invention and their polysaccharides with a predetermined solvent.

[0091] In the present invention, the type of fractionation solvent used to obtain the fraction is not particularly limited, and any solvent known in the art may be used. Non-limiting examples of the fractionation solvent may be water, organic solvents, or mixtures thereof, which may be used alone or in combination of one or more, but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the organic solvent may be one or more selected from the group consisting of straight-chain or branched alcohols having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, dichloromethane, diethyl ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, but are not limited thereto.

[0092] Specifically, it may be a fraction produced by adding water or ethanol to a mixture of the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and the polysaccharide isolate thereof according to the present invention, more specifically, a water fraction or an ethanol fraction of a mixture of the extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and the polysaccharide isolate thereof.

[0093] More specifically, it may be a water fraction of a mixture of extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and polysaccharide isolates thereof.

[0094]

[0095] The mixture or fraction thereof of the extracts and polysaccharide isolates of the above Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora may be included in an amount of 0.0001 to 90 weight% based on the total weight of the composition, specifically, the mixture or fraction thereof may be included in an amount of 30 to 80 weight% based on the total weight of the composition, more specifically 35 to 70 weight%, and even more specifically 40 to 65 weight%, but is not limited thereto.

[0096]

[0097] A mixture of extracts and polysaccharide isolates of the above Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, or fractions thereof, can activate the Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2) pathway or increase the expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1).

[0098] The term “HO-1” is known as a representative cellular defensive phase 2 detoxifying antioxidant enzyme, and the induction of HO-1 acts as an important mechanism for various diseases or conditions associated with oxidative stress or inflammatory damage to tissues.

[0099] In addition, “Nrf-2” is a very important transcription factor in protecting cells against oxidative stress, carcinogenesis, etc., and activates the transcription of antioxidant enzymes and phase 2 detoxifying enzymes (Nutrients 2018, 10, 858).

[0100] Therefore, the mixture of the above extract and polysaccharide isolate, or its fractions, can effectively improve physical fatigue and / or enhance exercise performance by activating the Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2) pathway or increasing the expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1), thereby regulating various factors involved in fatigue and / or exercise performance.

[0101] In addition, the above composition can increase the expression of one or more selected from the group consisting of SOD (Superoxide Dismutase), CAT (Catalase), Txn (Thioredoxin), Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1), NOQ1 (NAD(P)H Quinone Dehydrogenase 1), GPx (Glutathione Peroxidase), Gclc (Glutamate-Cysteine ​​Ligase Catalytic Subunit), and GSr (Glutathione Reductase), which are anti-fatigue indicators.

[0102] For example, the above composition can increase travel distance and exercise time as a result of behavioral experiments and may demonstrate an enhancement in exercise performance. In addition, the above composition can increase ATP and glycogen concentrations in the muscles. Furthermore, the above composition can increase the concentration or expression amount of glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP).

[0103]

[0104] In the present invention, the term “improvement” means applying a mixture of extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and polysaccharide isolates, or a fraction thereof, to a composition to improve fatigue or enhance, increase, or strengthen exercise performance.

[0105]

[0106] The above composition may be a mixture of extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and polysaccharide isolates, or fractions thereof, added to a food composition for the purpose of improving fatigue or improving, enhancing, or strengthening exercise performance, and the food composition may be a health functional food composition.

[0107] The above food composition may include a food-grade acceptable carrier.

[0108] The food composition of the present invention includes all forms such as functional food, nutritional supplement, health food, and food additives, and said types of food compositions can be prepared in various forms according to conventional methods known in the art.

[0109] When a mixture of extracts and polysaccharide isolates of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, or a fraction thereof, is used as a food additive, the mixture or fraction thereof may be added as is or used in combination with other foods or food ingredients, and may be used appropriately according to conventional methods. The amount of the mixture of active ingredients may be appropriately determined according to the purpose of use (prevention, health, or therapeutic treatment). Generally, when manufacturing food or beverages, the mixture of extracts and polysaccharide isolates of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, or a fraction thereof, is added in an amount of 0.0001 to 90 weight%, preferably 0.001 to 50 weight%, of the raw material composition. However, in the case of long-term consumption for the purpose of health and hygiene or health control, the above amount may be used in an amount less than the above range.

[0110] There are no special restrictions on the types of the above-mentioned foods. Examples of foods to which the above-mentioned substance may be added include meat, sausage, bread, chocolate, candies, snacks, confectionery, pizza, ramen, other noodles, chewing gum, dairy products including ice cream, various soups, beverages, tea, drinks, alcoholic beverages, and vitamin complexes, and may include all health foods in the conventional sense.

[0111] The health beverage composition of the present invention may contain various flavoring agents or natural carbohydrates as additional ingredients, as in conventional beverages. The natural carbohydrates mentioned above are monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose, disaccharides such as maltose and sucrose, polysaccharides such as dextrin and cyclodextrin, and sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, and erythritol. As sweeteners, natural sweeteners such as taumatin and stevia extract, or synthetic sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame may be used. The proportion of the natural carbohydrates may generally be about 0.001 to 50 parts by weight, specifically about 0.01 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the composition of the present invention.

[0112] In addition to the above, the composition of the present invention may contain various nutrients, vitamins, electrolytes, flavoring agents, coloring agents, pectic acid and its salts, alginic acid and its salts, organic acids, protective colloidal thickeners, pH adjusters, stabilizers, preservatives, glycerin, alcohol, carbonating agents used in carbonated beverages, etc. Although the proportion of these additives is not critical, they are generally selected in the range of 0.01 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the composition of the present invention. Furthermore, the composition of the present invention may contain fruit pulp for the production of natural fruit juices, fruit juice beverages, and vegetable beverages. Although the proportion of such fruit pulp is not critical, it is generally selected in the range of 0.01 to 30 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the composition of the present invention, and these components may be used independently or in combination.

[0113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the food may be a health functional food.

[0114] The term “health functional food” in this invention refers to a food manufactured and processed using raw materials or ingredients that possess functional properties useful to the human body, and “functional properties” means obtaining effects useful for health purposes, such as regulating nutrients or physiological actions regarding the structure and function of the human body. Meanwhile, health functional food refers to a food that possesses active health maintenance or promotion effects compared to general food, and health supplement food refers to a food intended for the purpose of health support; depending on the case, the terms health functional food, health food, and health supplement food may be used interchangeably.

[0115] In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition may be a mixture of extracts of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and polysaccharide isolates or fractions thereof, and may be a quasi-drug composition for improving fatigue or improving, enhancing, or strengthening exercise performance.

[0116] The above mixed extract, polysaccharide isolate, mixture, and fraction are as described above.

[0117] The quasi-drugs of the present invention refer to articles used for the purpose of diagnosing, treating, improving, alleviating, managing, or preventing diseases of humans or animals, among which the effects are milder than those of pharmaceuticals. For example, according to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, quasi-drugs are defined as articles excluding those used for pharmaceutical purposes, and include products used for the treatment or prevention of diseases in humans or animals, and products that have mild effects on the human body or do not act directly on it.

[0118] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective provides a method for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising the step of administering to an individual a composition comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof; or a fraction thereof.

[0119] The above mixed extract, polysaccharide isolate, mixture, and fraction are as described above.

[0120] In the present invention, the term "administration" refers to introducing a composition of the present invention to a subject by any appropriate method, and the route of administration may be administered via various oral or parenteral routes as long as it can reach the target tissue.

[0121] In the present invention, the individual may include humans or non-human species, and more specifically, may include mammals including humans, and even more specifically, may include humans, dogs, rats, rabbits, cats, horses, or cattle, but may include any individual capable of improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance by administering the composition of the present invention without limitation.

[0122] Another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective provides a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof; or a fraction thereof, for use in improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance.

[0123] The above mixed extract, polysaccharide isolate, mixture, and fraction are as described above.

[0124]

[0125] The present invention will be explained in more detail below by way of examples. However, these examples are intended to illustrate the present invention and the scope of the present invention is not limited by these examples, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0126]

[0127] Preparation Example: Preparation of Composition

[0128] 1. Preparation of a mixture derived from Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora

[0129] 1-1. Preparation of Mixed Extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora

[0130] The roots of Angelica gigas, the rhizomes of Cnidium officinale, and the roots of Paeonia lactiflora were each air-dried, chopped, and mixed. Then, distilled water equivalent to 10 times the total weight of each herbal medicine (1,000 ml of distilled water per 100 g of herbal medicine) was added, and the mixture was extracted by hot water at 95 ℃ for 4 hours to obtain the first extract. Additionally, a second extract was obtained using the residue from the first extraction under the same conditions. Subsequently, the first and second extracts were combined, concentrated under reduced pressure, and filtered to obtain a mixed extract (see Table 1 below).

[0131]

[0132] 1-2. Preparation of Polysaccharide Isolates from Mixed Extracts

[0133] Polysaccharide isolates were prepared for each of the mixed extracts prepared in Preparation Example 1-1 above.

[0134] Specifically, the mixed extract prepared in Preparation Example 1-1 above was taken, 4 times the volume of 85% ethanol was added to each, and after standing at 25°C or lower for 16 hours, the precipitated polysaccharide isolate was obtained from each mixed extract by centrifugation.

[0135]

[0136] 1-3. Preparation of a Mixture of Mixed Extracts and Polysaccharide Isolates

[0137] A mixture was prepared by mixing the mixed extract prepared in Preparation Example 1-1 and the polysaccharide isolate prepared in Preparation Example 1-2.

[0138] Specifically, each of the mixed extracts prepared in Preparation Example 1-1 and each of the polysaccharide isolates prepared in Preparation Example 1-2 were mixed to prepare each of the mixtures. Subsequently, each of the prepared mixtures was filtered through a sterile filter paper (Millipore membrane, 0.45 μm) to maintain a sterile state.

[0139] At this time, the mixed extract of 1-1 and the polysaccharide isolate of 1-2 were mixed in a weight ratio of 60:40.

[0140]

[0141] All of this is summarized as shown in Table 1 below.

[0142]

[0143] Experimental Group* Weight Ratio of Angelica gigas, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Paeonia lactiflora Example: Chinese Angelica gigas, Chinese Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:1.6:1.3 Comparative Example 1: True Angelica gigas, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:1:1 Comparative Example 2: Chinese Angelica gigas, Chinese Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:0.8:0.8 Comparative Example 3: Chinese Angelica gigas, Chinese Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:4:1.3 Comparative Example 4: Chinese Angelica gigas, Chinese Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:1.6:4 Comparative Example 5: True Angelica gigas, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:1.6:1.3 Comparative Example 6: True Angelica gigas, Chinese Ligusticum chuanxiong, Paeonia lactiflora 1:1.6:1.3

[0144]

[0145] For each experimental group, Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora were mixed and extracted in the corresponding weight ratios, and polysaccharide isolates (ethanol polysaccharide isolates) were prepared from each extract. The prepared mixed extracts and polysaccharide isolates were then mixed; although the polysaccharide isolates are not listed in Table 1, this refers to the form of a mixture containing the polysaccharide isolates.

[0146]

[0147] Experimental Example 1. Confirmation of the level of anti-fatigue factor expression in vitro

[0148] 1-1. Confirmation of Anti-Fatigue Factor Expression Levels Using L6 Skeletal Muscle Cells

[0149] The effect of the composition of the present invention prepared in the above preparation example on the muscle was confirmed.

[0150] Specifically, 4.5 x 10 L6 skeletal muscle cells in a 6-well plate 5The cells were seeded at a concentration of cells / well and cultured for 24 hours. The culture medium was replaced with the compositions prepared in Preparation Examples 1-3 at respective concentrations (31.3 μg / mL, 62.5 μg / mL, and 125 μg / mL), and cultured for 2 hours. Subsequently, citrinin, an oxidative stress inducing substance, was added at 60 μM, and the cells were cultured for an additional 24 hours. As a control group, a group treated only with citrinin without the composition of the present invention was prepared. The cells were collected, and total RNA was extracted using an RNA extract kit (Cat No. 74106, Qiagen, USA) according to the manufacturer's manual. An RT-qPCR mixture was prepared from the extracted total RNA using an RT-qPCR kit (TOPreal™One-step RT qPCR kit, Cat No. RT432M, Enzynomics, USA). After dispensing the RT-qPCR mixture and extracted RNA into a 96-well plate, RT-qPCR reactions and analysis were performed using a Real-time PCR machine (CFX384, BIO-RAD, CA, USA) to determine the mRNA expression levels of Nrf-2, HO-1, SOD, CAT, Txn, Keap1, NOQ1, GPx, Gclc, and GSr, respectively. All reactions were corrected for housekeeping genes and averaged using the 2-△△CT method relative to a normal control group.

[0151] As a result, it was confirmed that the mRNA expression levels of anti-fatigue related genes Nrf-2, HO-1, SOD, CAT, Txn, Keap1, NOQ1, GPx, Gclc, and GSr increased as the treatment concentration of the group treated with the composition of the example increased (Fig. 1).

[0152] Thus, it can be seen that when the composition of the embodiment of the present invention is used, it provides excellent anti-fatigue efficacy, thereby effectively improving fatigue or increasing exercise performance.

[0153]

[0154] 1-2. Confirmation of Anti-fatigue Efficacy Using C2C12 Myotube Cells

[0155] 1-2-1. Checking ATP and Glycogen Concentrations

[0156] The C2C12 mouse stem cells used in this experiment were purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and cultured under conditions of 5% CO2 and 37°C using DMEM (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 100 U / mL penicillin, and 100 μg / mL streptomycin as the growth medium. C2C12 3 x 10 myocells in a 6-well plate 5 Cells were seeded and cultured at a concentration of cells / well. Afterward, they were washed with PBS and replaced with differentiation induction medium (DMEM containing 2% horse serum, 100 U / mL penicillin, and 100 μg / mL streptomycin), and the differentiation induction medium was replaced every 2 days until differentiation occurred. On the 6th day, differentiation was confirmed, and the compositions of the example were treated at different concentrations (31.3 μg / mL, 62.5 μg / mL, 125 μg / mL), and the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 were treated at 125 μg / mL. Cells were obtained after 24 hours of culture. Subsequently, the content of glycogen and ATP was measured using a glycogen analysis kit (ab65620, abcam, USA) and an ATP analysis kit (ab83355, abcam, USA).

[0157] As a result, it was confirmed that the concentrations of ATP and glycogen increased as the treatment concentration (31.3 μg / mL, 62.5 μg / mL, 125 μg / mL) of the group treated with the composition of the example increased (Fig. 2).

[0158] In addition, the group treated with the composition of the example at a concentration of 125 μg / mL showed a significantly higher ATP content compared to the group treated with the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6 at the same concentration (Fig. 3 and Table 2).

[0159]

[0160] Classification Control Preliminary Comparison Example 1 Comparison Example 2 Comparison Example 3 Comparison Example 4 Comparison Example 5 Comparison Example 6 ATP Content (μM) 5 5.8 29 3.3 27 0.0 5 5 1.3 45 4.5 25 4.3 45 1.3 45 0.46

[0161]

[0162] In addition, the group treated with the composition of the example showed a significantly higher glycogen content compared to the group treated with the compositions of Comparative Examples 1 to 6, confirming that it has excellent fatigue-improving efficacy (Fig. 4 and Table 3).

[0163]

[0164] Classification Control Preliminary Comparison Example 1 Comparison Example 2 Comparison Example 3 Comparison Example 4 Comparison Example 5 Comparison Example 6 Glycogen Content (μg / μL) 5.0 2 26.3 2 21.3 8 20.3 18.2 17.5 19.5 15.45

[0165]

[0166] Thus, it can be seen that using the composition of the example effectively improves fatigue or increases exercise performance.

[0167]

[0168] 1-2-2. Confirmation of Glycogen Syntase and Glycogen Phosphorylase Expression Levels

[0169] Next, total RNA was extracted from cells obtained after 24 hours of culture following treatment with the composition of the above example at different concentrations (31.3 μg / mL, 62.5 μg / mL, 125 μg / mL) using an RNA extract kit (Cat No. 74106, Qiagen, USA) according to the manufacturer's manual. The extracted RNA was analyzed by preparing an RT-qPCR mixture using an RT-qPCR kit to confirm the mRNA expression levels of glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP), respectively. All reactions were corrected for with housekeeping genes and averaged using the 2-△△CT method relative to the normal control group.

[0170] As a result, it was confirmed that the expression levels of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase increased in the group treated with the composition of the example compared to the control group, and that the expression levels of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase increased as the treatment concentration increased (Fig. 5).

[0171] Thus, it can be seen that using the composition of the embodiment of the present invention effectively improves fatigue or increases exercise performance.

[0172]

[0173] Experimental Example 2. In vivo cylindrical rolling and forced swimming tests of a natural product-derived composition

[0174] 2-1. Preparation of Experimental Mice

[0175] The Rotarod test and the Forced Swimming Test (FST) were performed using experimental mice.

[0176] 6-week-old ICR mice (male) were used for the experiment, and after acclimatizing them in a sterile rearing device for one week, they were used in the experiment.

[0177]

[0178] 2-2. Rotarod Test

[0179] The rotarod test was performed twice during the first week of administration of the test substance (Example in Table 1 above), and the test was conducted once a week starting from the end of the training. The test substance was administered at 250 mg / kg and 500 mg / kg, respectively, 30 minutes prior to the rotarod test, and creatine at a concentration of 300 mg / kg / day was also administered as a positive control. Wt mice that had not been administered any substance were prepared as a negative control. All mice were placed in the lane, and starting at 4 rpm, they were accelerated to 40 rpm over 10 minutes, and the time until the mice became exhausted was recorded.

[0180] As a result, the group administered with the composition of the example showed increased exercise time compared to the control group, indicating improved exercise ability, and also exhibited effects similar to or better than the positive control group. In addition, it was confirmed that exercise time increased as the treatment concentration of the composition of the example increased (Fig. 6).

[0181] Thus, it can be seen that using the composition of the embodiment of the present invention effectively improves fatigue, exercise performance, and endurance.

[0182]

[0183] 2-3. Forced Swimming Test (FST)

[0184] Forced swimming exercise was performed by conducting two training sessions during the first week of administration of the test substance (Example in Table 1 above), and testing was conducted once a week starting from the end of the training. The test substance was administered at 250 mg / kg and 500 mg / kg, respectively, 30 minutes before the forced swimming exercise, and creatine at a concentration of 300 mg / kg / day was also administered as a positive control. To load the mice during forced swimming, lead equivalent to approximately 10% of their body weight was attached to their tails using paper tape, and the mice were placed in water to swim under forced conditions; the time until exhaustion was measured.

[0185] As a result, the group administered the composition of the example showed increased swimming time compared to the control group, indicating improved athletic ability, and also exhibited effects similar to or better than the positive control group. It was confirmed that swimming time increased as the treatment concentration of the group administered the composition of the example increased (Fig. 7).

[0186] Thus, it can be seen that using the composition of the embodiment of the present invention effectively improves fatigue, exercise performance, and endurance.

[0187]

[0188] Experimental Example 3. Measurement of changes in fatigue-related factors

[0189] 3-1. Blood Biochemical Analysis

[0190] After completing the forced swimming exercise test in Experimental Examples 2-3 above, blood was collected from the test animals under inhalation anesthesia using isoflurane. The collected blood was placed in an SST tube and centrifuged at 3,000 rpm for 15 minutes to separate it into serum, and glucose and creatine kinase (CK) were analyzed using a blood biochemical analyzer.

[0191] As a result, it was confirmed that the glucose content in the blood of the group administered the composition of the example significantly increased compared to the negative control and positive control (Fig. 8), and the creatine kinase content significantly decreased (Fig. 9).

[0192]

[0193] 3-2. Analysis of Fatigue Factors in the Organization

[0194] After completing the forced swimming exercise test in Experimental Examples 2-3 above, an analysis of fatigue-related factors in muscle tissue was performed on the test animals using a Glycogen assay kit (ab65620, abcam, USA) according to the manufacturer's manual.

[0195] As a result, it was confirmed that the glycogen content in the muscle tissue increased as the treatment concentration of the group administered the composition of the example increased (Fig. 10).

[0196]

[0197] 3-3. Analysis of Antioxidant Factors in Tissues

[0198] After completing the forced swimming test in Experimental Example 2-3 above, the mouse model was stored at -70℃, and then RT-qPCR analysis was performed to analyze antioxidant factors in the tissue.

[0199] Specifically, stored mouse liver and soleus muscle tissues were each aliquoted into 30 mg portions and homogenized using a Beadruptor (BEAD RUPTOR 24, OMNI Inc., USA) with RLT buffer (Cat No. 79216, Qiagen, USA) and beads. Centrifugation (4℃, 13,000 rpm, 3 min) was performed, and the supernatant was collected. Total RNA was then extracted using an RNA extract kit (Cat No. 74106, Qiagen, USA) according to the manufacturer's manual. An RT-qPCR mixture was prepared using a kit (TOPreal™ One-step RT qPCR kit, Cat No. RT432M, Enzynomics, USA), and the RT-qPCR reaction and analysis were performed using a Real-time PCR machine (CFX384, BIO-RAD, CA, USA). All responses were corrected for the housekeeping gene and averaged using the 2-ΔΔCT method relative to the normal control group.

[0200] As a result, it was confirmed that when the composition of the example was administered to both the liver and muscle, the expression levels of Nrf-2 and HO-1 increased compared to the control group, and the expression levels gradually increased as the dosage of the composition of the example increased (Fig. 11).

[0201]

[0202] In addition, Western blot analysis was performed to analyze antioxidant factors within the tissue.

[0203] Specifically, liver and gastrocnemius muscle tissues extracted from stored mice were homogenized with RIPA buffer (Cat No. 89901, Thermo Scientific, USA) and centrifuged (14,000 rpm, 4°C, 10 min), after which the supernatant was collected. Subsequently, protein was quantified using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method, and 50 μg of protein was subjected to electrophoresis on 10% Tris-Glycine Mini Protein Gels (Cat No. XP00102BOX, Invitrogen, USA). The gels, after electrophoresis was completed, were transferred to a PVDF membrane using a Power Blotter System (Cat No. PB0010, Invitrogen, USA). The gels were blocked by treatment with 5% skim milk for 1 hour and then washed. After reacting the secondary antibody (7074S, Cell signaling, USA) with 5% skim milk at a 1:1,000 ratio for 1 hour, an ECL substrate was applied to a PVDF membrane, and images were taken with ImageQuant.

[0204] As a result, it was confirmed that when the composition of the example was administered to both the liver and muscle, the protein expression levels of NRf-2 and HO-1 increased compared to the control group (Fig. 12).

[0205]

[0206] 3-4. Immunochemical staining analysis in tissues

[0207] After completing the forced swimming test in Experimental Examples 2-3 above, the mouse model was stored at -70℃, and the excised calf muscle (gastrocnemius) tissue was prepared into slides, dried at room temperature, and fixed by acetone treatment. After blocking with 5% normal goat serum, the primary antibody Nrf-2 (Cat No. NBP1-32822, Novus, USA) was diluted to a ratio of 1:1,000 using 5% normal goat serum and reacted overnight at 4℃. The secondary antibody (BA1003, BOSTER, USA) was diluted to a ratio of 1:1,000 using 5% normal goat serum and reacted for 1 hour, after which 1XPBS washing was performed. Subsequently, the sample was reacted with DAB staining solution (SK-4105, Vector Laboratories, USA) for 30 seconds to induce color development, mounted in mounting medium with DAPI (Cat. H-1200-10, Vector, United States), and observed under a fluorescence microscope. The area within the same region that developed color and appeared brown was calculated using the Image J program.

[0208] As a result, it was confirmed that the color-developing zone was wider in the group administered with the composition of the example than in the negative control group that was not treated (Fig. 13). These results were obtained by visually confirming the expression level of the Nrf-2 antioxidant factor in the tissue through immunochemical staining (IHC) and quantitatively analyzing it. A wider color-developing zone indicates an increase in Nrf-2 expression, which means that the group administered with the composition of the example is exhibiting a better antioxidant effect compared to the control group.

[0209]

[0210] From the foregoing description, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without altering its technical concept or essential features. In this regard, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention should be interpreted as including all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims set forth below and their equivalents, rather than from the detailed description above.

Claims

1. A composition for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance comprising, as active ingredients, a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof.

2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the fatigue is physical fatigue, muscle fatigue, or includes both.

3. In Paragraph 1 or 2, A composition wherein the above-mentioned mixed extract is extracted with a solvent selected from the group consisting of water, organic solvents, and mixed solvents thereof.

4. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 3, A composition comprising the above mixed extract in a weight ratio of 1:1.4 to 3.5:1.2 to 3, wherein the mixed extract comprises Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora.

5. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 4, A composition in which the above mixed extract is a mixed extract of Chinese Angelica, Chinese Cnidium or Ligusticum chuanxiong and Paeonia lactiflora.

6. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 5, A composition in which the above polysaccharide isolate is an ethanol polysaccharide isolate.

7. In Paragraph 6, A composition in which the above ethanol is 60 to 100% ethanol.

8. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 7, The above mixture is a composition comprising a mixed extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora and a polysaccharide isolate thereof in a ratio of 60-70:30-40.

9. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 8, A composition comprising the above mixture in an amount of 0.001 to 90 weight% based on the total weight of the composition.

10. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 9, The above composition is a composition that increases the expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1).

11. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 9, The above composition is a composition that activates the Nrf-2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2) pathway.

12. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 9, The above composition is a composition that increases the expression of one or more selected from the group consisting of SOD, CAT, Txn, Keap1, NOQ1, GPx, Gclc, and GSr.

13. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 9, The above composition is a composition that increases the content of one or more selected from the group consisting of ATP and glycogen.

14. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 9, The above composition is a composition that increases the expression of one or more selected from the group consisting of glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase.

15. In any one of paragraphs 1 through 14, The above composition is a food composition.

16. In Paragraph 15, The above food composition is a composition manufactured as a powder, granules, tablets, capsules, syrup, or beverage.

17. In Paragraph 15, The above food is a composition that is a health functional food.

18. A method for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance, comprising the step of administering to an individual a composition comprising as an active ingredient a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof.

19. Use of a composition comprising, as an active ingredient, a mixture of an extract of Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora; and a polysaccharide isolate thereof, for improving fatigue or enhancing exercise performance.

Images