Enhancement of Exercise Performance by 48 Hours, and 15-Day Supplementation with Mangiferin and Luteolin in Men

Abstract

The natural polyphenols mangiferin and luteolin have free radical-scavenging properties, induce the antioxidant gene program and down-regulate the expression of superoxide-producing enzymes. However, the effects of these two polyphenols on exercise capacity remains mostly unknown. To determine whether a combination of luteolin (peanut husk extract containing 95% luteolin, PHE) and mangiferin (mango leave extract (MLE), Zynamite^®) at low (PHE: 50 mg/day; and 140 mg/day of MLE containing 100 mg of mangiferin; L) and high doses (PHE: 100 mg/day; MLE: 420 mg/day; H) may enhance exercise performance, twelve physically active men performed incremental exercise to exhaustion, followed by sprint and endurance exercise after 48 h (acute effects) and 15 days of supplementation (prolonged effects) with polyphenols or placebo, following a double-blind crossover design. During sprint exercise, mangiferin + luteolin supplementation enhanced exercise performance, facilitated muscle oxygen extraction, and improved brain oxygenation, without increasing the VO₂. Compared to placebo, mangiferin + luteolin increased muscle O₂ extraction during post-exercise ischemia, and improved sprint performance after ischemia-reperfusion likely by increasing glycolytic energy production, as reflected by higher blood lactate concentrations after the sprints. Similar responses were elicited by the two doses tested. In conclusion, acute and prolonged supplementation with mangiferin combined with luteolin enhances performance, muscle O₂ extraction, and brain oxygenation during sprint exercise, at high and low doses.

Keywords: O2 extraction; ergogenic aids; exercise; ischemia; metabolism; performance; polyphenols; reperfusion; sports nutrition.

Figure 1

Experimental protocol. (A) Botanical extracts of mangiferin and luteolin were administered during following a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design. (B) Exercise protocol. Forty-eight hours after the start of the supplementation subjects reported to the laboratory and their body composition and resting metabolic rate (RMR) were determined. The exercise protocol started with a warming-up 8 s isokinetic sprint on a cycle ergometer, followed by 5 min of unloaded pedaling (∼40 rpm) and an incremental exercise test (20 W/3 min) to determine their maximal fat oxidation (MFO). This was followed by 2 min of unloaded pedaling and an incremental exercise test (15 W/min) until exhaustion to determine the VO₂max. At exhaustion, ischemia was applied to both legs for 60 s. Then the cuff was released, and the subjects sprinted maximally for 15 s. At the end of the 15 s sprint, a second occlusion was started for 30 s, which was followed by 10 s of free circulation with unloaded pedaling and a second 15 s sprint. Then the subjects rested for 30 min and after that performed two 30 s Wingate tests interspaced by 4 min of unloaded pedaling. After 10 min of unloaded pedaling a submaximal constant-intensity time trial to exhaustion was started at 70% of the intensity reached at exhaustion in the incremental exercise test (Wmax). At the end of the endurance test, ischemia was instantaneously applied for 60 s, followed by the last Wingate test with open circulation and 30 min of recovery on a stretcher. Blood samples for blood lactate assessment were obtained as indicated in the figure. This protocol was repeated after 15 days of supplementation.

Figure 2

Performance during the sprint exercise after the ingestion of polyphenols (mangiferin + luteolin) or placebo. (A) Peak power output in 15 s sprints performed after ischemia. (B) Mean power output during the first 5 s during the sprints performed after ischemia. SIE: first sprint after incremental exercise, SSIE: second sprint after incremental exercise. Number 1 indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation. (C) Mean power output during the 30 s Wingate test. WG: Wingate test, the first number represents the Wingate order number (1, 2, or 3), the second number (1 or 2) indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation, respectively. * p < 0.05 compared with 48 h test in the same condition. $ p< 0.05 for treatment effect. ANOVA Wingate × time × treatment interaction, p = 0.027. N = 12.

Figure 2

Performance during the sprint exercise after the ingestion of polyphenols (mangiferin + luteolin) or placebo. (A) Peak power output in 15 s sprints performed after ischemia. (B) Mean power output during the first 5 s during the sprints performed after ischemia. SIE: first sprint after incremental exercise, SSIE: second sprint after incremental exercise. Number 1 indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation. (C) Mean power output during the 30 s Wingate test. WG: Wingate test, the first number represents the Wingate order number (1, 2, or 3), the second number (1 or 2) indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation, respectively. * p < 0.05 compared with 48 h test in the same condition. $ p< 0.05 for treatment effect. ANOVA Wingate × time × treatment interaction, p = 0.027. N = 12.

Figure 3

Frontal lobe oxygenation index (TOI) during the first two 30 s Wingate tests after the ingestion of polyphenols (luteolin + mangiferin) or placebo. Number 1 indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation. $ p < 0.05 for treatment effect. N = 12.

Figure 4

Quadriceps muscle oxygenation index (TOI, mean of the musculus vastus lateralis and vastus medialis) during the first two 30 s Wingate tests after the ingestion of polyphenols (mangiferin + luteolin) or placebo. Number 1 indicates after 48 h and 2 after 15 days of supplementation. $ p< 0.05 for treatment effect. N = 12.