Saltbush (Atriplex hortensis L.) and birch leaves (Betulae folia) are ubiquitous raw materials with a wide range of useful properties. This research focused on the actoprotective effect that a mixed aqueous extract of these two plants had on laboratoryrats subjected to forced swim test. The experiment included an intact group (control), rats that received treatment but underwent a forced swim test, and rats that were administered with the experimental aqueous extract of A. hortensis and Betulae folia followed by the forced swim test. The mixed extract of A. hortensis and Betulae folia (Kemerovo Region, Russia) was administered intragastrically to threemonth-old male Wistar rats (4 mL/100 g body weight) who performed daily 2-h swimming sessions for two weeks. The chemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol), 8 essential amino acids, and 17 amino acids, including amino acids with a branched side chain (valine, isoleucine, leucine). The forced swim test made it possible to study the effect of the extract on the hematological parameters of peripheral blood. The hematological analysis showed that the administration of the extract restored leukocytes, lymphocytes, and hemoglobin to the levels demonstrated by the animals in the intact group. As for the electrocardiographic parameters, the swimmers demonstrated a faster depolarization of the heart chambers while maintaining normal heart rate, which denoted an efficient compensation for the hypertrophic changes in the myocardium caused by the physical exertion. In this in-vivo research, the extract of Betulae folia and aerial parts of A. hortensis had no cardiotoxic effect and helped restore the level of blood oxygenation after physical exertion. In the future, the synergetic actoprotective effect of these two widespread plants can be used in dietary supplements and functional foods.
Сергеева et al. (Mon,) studied this question.