Antifatigue properties of an aqueous extract of Mimosa pudica Linn. (Fabaceae) in mice subjected to weight loaded force swimming test

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Traditionally, Mimosa pudica Linn. (Fabaceae) is used for its anti-inflammatory, sedative, anxiolytic, antioxidant and antifatigue properties. Aim: To determine the antifatigue effects of Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts in experimental model of weight loaded force swimming test. Materials and methods: Mice were divided into seven groups and treated for 28 consecutive days as follows: groups one and two received orally distilled water (10 mL/kg) and served as normal group and negative control group, respectively. Groups three to six, (test groups) received orally graded doses of Mimosa pudica (20, 40, 80 and 160 mg/kg) and group seven (positive control) received vitamin C (50 mg/kg), respectively. One hour after the treatment, mice were subjected to the weight loaded force swimming test with tail load, except for the normal group; and the swimming duration, body weight, food and water intake were measured. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment the serum level of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin, and the relative organs weight were measured. Results: Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts significantly and dose-dependently increased the swimming duration and the weight of heart and lungs. The extracts did not induce a significant variation in the level of food and water intake, body weight, and serum of noradrenaline, dopamine and serotonin. Conclusion: Pretreatment of mice with Mimosa pudica aqueous extracts was observed to have better antifatigue properties mediated via amelioration of swimming capacity and physical aptitude in the weight loaded force swimming model.