Effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. on insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) to prevent overtraining syndrome

Background: excessive physical exercises (overtraining) can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ros). one of the indicators of overtraining syndrome is a decrease in insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (igfbp-3). administration of hibiscus sabdariffa linn., a powerful antioxidant, is expected to boost endogenous antioxidants, and thus prevents overtraining. the aim of this study is to determine the effect of h. sabdariffa on igfbp-3 levels in rats under ”overtraining physical excersice”. methods: this experimental study was conducted on 30 male rats (rattus norvegicus 200-250 grams), randomly allocated into 5 groups: 1) control group (c); 2) control with h. sabdariffa (c-hib); 3) mild aerobic exercise (a-ex); 4) overtraining exercise (ot); 5) overtraining exercise with h. sabdariffa (ot-hib). h. sabdariffa (400 mg/kg/d, 11 weeks) were administered orally via syringe cannula. igfbp-3 was measured by using elisa (cusa bio kit) and data were analyzed with anova test. results: plasma level of igfbp-3 in the c and ot groups were 17.4 ± 10 miu/l, the lowest in ot groups (10.7 ± 9.9 miu/l) and the ot-hib group had the highest level (31.5 ± 6.2 miu/l). there was significant difference of the level igfbp-3 in ot groups with a-ex groups (10.7 ± 9.9 vs 23.5 ± 9.7 miu/l; p < 0,05). the significant difference was also observed in the level of igfbp 3 between c groups and the ot-hib groups (17.4 ± 10 vs 31.5 ± 6.2; p < 0.05). conclusion: administration of h. sabdariffa can prevent the decrease of igfbp-3 levels in overtraining rats, indicating its role in preventing overtraining syndrome.