---

Effects of Tibetan turnip (Brassica rapa L.) on promoting hypoxia-tolerance in healthy humans

Authors Chu, Bingquan; Chen, Chun; Li, Jiaojie; Chen, Xiaojian; Li, Yunhong; Tang, Weimin; Jin, Lu; Zhang, Ying

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , JAN 4 2017,:195

DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2016.11.028 PubMed 27856303

Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Tibetan turnip (Brassica rapa L.), widely distributed in Tibet region, is an edible and medical plant with effects of tonic and anti-hypoxia heat-clearing and detoxification and alleviating fatigue according to traditional Tibetan medical books. Aim of the study: This research systematically studied the effects of Tibetan turnip on promoting hypoxia-tolerance in humans and the mechanisms.Materials and Methods: A 7-d, self-control and single-blind human feeding trial was conducted among 27 healthy subjects with 8 males and 10 females in feeding group fed with 7.5 g turnip powder 2 times daily while 4 males and 5 females in control group fed with 7.5 g radish powder twice a day. Subjects were required to undergo a hypoxia tolerance test (7.1% O-2) and a cardiopulmonary function evaluation (Bruce treadmill protocol) before (1st day) and after (9th day) the trial. Simultaneously, the anti-oxidative activities (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, MDA), routine and biochemical analyses of blood samples were evaluated.Results: The females'' SpO(2) increased significantly by 6.4% at the end of the hypoxia tolerance test after taking turnips (p < 0.05), and the hypoxia symptoms in most of the subjects were alleviated as well. The anaerobic threshold, peak O-2 pulse and peak VO2/kg were significantly improved after 7-d turnip consumption during the Bruce treadmill test (p < 0.05). As for the blood analysis, anti-oxidative activities were boosted effectively after the 7-d treatments. Moreover, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) in the males of feeding group increased significantly (p < 0.05). However, little changes of all variables were observed in the control group.Conclusions: Consumption of Tibetan turnips for 7 days likely contributed to the hypoxia tolerance in healthy humans, which could be due to its abilities of improving oxygen uptake and delivery, enhancing body antioxidant capacity and increasing MCHC. However, further studies with larger samples and double-blind design are warranted, and future studies covering more diverse populations (unhealthy, athletic) would be also considered. Moreover, researches on identifying Tibetan turnip''s active compounds are desired as well.

Species covered 蔓菁 Brassica rapa