Effects of gypenoside L‐containing Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract on fatigue and physical performance: A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trial

• Published in: Phytotherapy research Vol. 37; no. 7; pp. 3069 - 3082
• Main Authors: Ahn, Yejin, Lee, Hee‐Seok, Lee, Seok‐Hee, Joa, Kyung‐Lim, Lim, Cho Young, Ahn, Yu Jin, Suh, Hyung Joo, Park, Sung‐Soo, Hong, Ki‐Bae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.07.2023; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: clinical trial; Cognitive ability; cognitive fatigue; Double-blind studies; exercise performance; Fatigue; Fatty acids; Gynostemma; Gynostemma pentaphyllum; gypenoside L; Motor task performance; Nitric oxide; Nitric-oxide synthase; Oral administration; Oxygen consumption; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; clinical trial; Gynostemma pentaphyllum; cognitive fatigue; exercise performance; gypenoside L
• ISSN: 0951-418X; 1099-1573
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7801

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract containing gypenoside L (GPE) on improving the cognitive aspects of fatigue and performance of the motor system. One hundred healthy Korean adults aged 19–60 years were randomized to the treatment (GPE for 12 weeks) and control groups, and efficacy and safety‐related parameters were compared between the two groups. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and O2 pulse were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.047, respectively). After 12 weeks, the treatment group showed significant changes such as decreases in the levels of free fatty acids (p = 0.042). In addition, there were significant differences in the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (p < 0.05) and value of temporal fatigue between the treatment and control groups on the multidimensional fatigue scale (p < 0.05). Moreover, the level of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in the blood was significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p = 0.047). In summary, oral administration of GPE has a positive effect on resistance to exercise‐induced physical and mental fatigue.