Development of energy-booster formulation and evaluation of its physical fitness performance and muscular endurance property in Wistar rats

Abstract Increasing sedentary lifestyles underscore the importance of improving physical fitness and muscular endurance through safe and effective interventions. Energy-booster formulations, composed of multiple botanical extracts, have gained popularity due to their potential synergistic therapeutic benefits. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of energy-booster formulations with brand names such as Easylife, Spirulina life, etc., comprising standardised extracts of Moringa oleifera, Tribulus terrestris, Withania somnifera, Arthrospira platensis (spirulina), and grape seed, which are known for their antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and muscle-enhancing properties. Multiple energy-booster formulations were conceptually developed, which underwent different stages of screening, including a literature review, lab trial, pilot batch preparation, etc. The three final formulations resulted from the product development funnel process were put under stability study, and safety and efficacy animal study. In the animal study, 60 Wistar rats (30 males and 30 females) were divided into 10 groups, receiving energy-booster formulations orally at varying doses for 4 weeks. Physical fitness was evaluated weekly using hanging, forced swimming, rota rod, and inclined plane tests. Haematological (White Blood Cells (WBC), Red Blood Cells (RBC), and Hemoglobin (Hgb) and haematocrit) and biochemical parameters (urea, creatinine, Creatine Kinase-Myocardial Band (CK-MB), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)) were measured to assess safety. All formulations, particularly Test-1 at a low dose significantly improved performance in the inclined plane test by week 3, indicating enhanced muscle strength and coordination. Test-1 high dose showed early improvement in the hanging test during week 1, reflecting increased grip strength and endurance. No significant changes were observed in swimming endurance. The energy-booster formulation Test-1 at a low dose demonstrated safety and effectiveness, by enhancing physical fitness and muscular endurance in Wistar rats without adverse haematological effects.