Anti-fatigue activity of syrup containing ethanolic extract of kencur (Kaempferia galanga L.) rhizome in Wistar rats

Context: The Javanese culture includes the consumption of traditional herbal medicine known as jamu. One commonly consumed type of jamu to enhance physical fitness and alleviate fatigue is Beras Kencur, which contains the kencur (Kaempferia galanga) rhizome. Although it has been used for generations, scientific testing on the effects of K. galanga as an anti-fatigue agent remains rare. Aims: To assess the anti-fatigue effects of K. galanga rhizome extract (KGE) through an endurance swimming test conducted on male Wistar rats. Methods: This study involved 30 Wistar rats randomly allocated into 5 groups: a negative control group administered with syrup vehicle, a positive control group receiving 9 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine syrup, and three treatment groups receiving KGE syrup at different doses - dose 1 (37 mg/kg BW), dose 2 (73.5 mg/kg BW), and dose 3 (147 mg/kg BW). The anti-fatigue effect was evaluated based on the duration of struggling in the water in the endurance swimming test. Results: The results demonstrated that the treatment groups exhibited a significant anti-fatigue effect compared to the negative control group. The administration of a syrup formulation containing KGE at doses 1 (37 mg/kg BW), 2 (73.5 mg/kg BW), and 3 (147 mg/kg BW) revealed an anti-fatigue effect on male Wistar rats. Conclusions: The administration of K. galanga demonstrated dose-dependent anti-fatigue activity in rats. The most effective dose was found to be 147 mg/kg body weight in rats.