Enhanced muscle contractility and anti‐fatigue proprieties of CordyMax5

We reported aerobic capacity‐enhancing and anti‐fatigue functions of CordyMax in humans (FASEB J 2004, 18:A931). We now compared the effects of several Cordyceps fermentation products (CM) on muscle contractility. Musculus soleus (Mso) of SD rats (n=9 each group) were isolated from both legs and bathed in Krebs‐Henseleit solution (27 degree C, pH 7.4) in the presence or absence of CM. Muscle tension were recorded for 3 min under continuous electronic stimulation (6 V for 20 ms with a interval of 40 ms). AUC of Mso tension and retention time at certain % tension‐decline were used as measures of total Mso contractility. The Mso was frozen immediately at −80 degree C for further analysis of glycogen and lactate. CM1, CM2 (a commercial Hirsutella sinensis product) and CM4 did not improve Mso contractility. Mso in CM5‐containing solution displayed increased tension at 90, 120, 150, & 180 s (AUC: p=0.081, 0.056, 0.054, & 0.057) and postponed tension‐decline at 70%, 60%, & 50% of maximum tension, compared to controls (p=0.049, 0.052, & 0.065). In homogenates of resting Mso, glycogen was increased by 153% with CM5 (p=0.018). This increase was largely diminished to only 56% higher than controls (p=0.188). Lactate was reduced by 22% with CM5 in homogenates of the exercised Mso (p=0.023). No changes were found in muscle glycogen and lactate with other CMs. In summary, CM5 increased basal glycogen in Mso and promoted delay of muscle tension decline during exhaustive contraction. Reduced muscle lactate may partially explain the improvement of anti‐fatigue functions of CM5.