Ergogenic Activities of Some Plants of Family Araliaceae on Mus musculus

Ergogenic is defined as the equipment, techniques and substances used to enhance sports performance. Ergogenic aid is classified into various forms, such as nutritional, pharmacological and physiological. One of the most well-known natural ingredients as an ergogenic substance is ginseng (Panax ginseng). The price of ginseng is high, and its availability is limited. Hence, it is important to trigger research to get plants which can substitute P. ginseng as a tonic. In Indonesia, which has high biodiversity potential, there are at least two popular plants in one family (Araliaceae) with P. ginseng, which are mangkokan (Nothopanax scutellarium) and kedondong laut (Polyscias fruticosa). The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the leaves of N. scutellarium and P. fruticosa as an ergogenic substance. This type of research was an experimental laboratory. The method used was Forced Swimming Test method, a test to identify how long mice (Mus musculus) were swimming. Mice used in this study were divided into eleven groups in which each group had four mice. Group I (negative control) was given 0.5% CMC-Na, group II (positive control) was given caffeine, and group III-XI was given P. ginseng, N. scutellarium and P. fruticosa at different doses of 0.49 g/20 g BW, 0.98 g/20 g BW, and 1.96 g/20 g BW. The swimming test was performed three times on the first, third, and fifth day. The duration of struggling for mice was then analyzed using Honestly Significant Different and showed that P. ginseng and P. fruticosa could increase mice’s stamina. However, N. scutellarium could not increase the stamina of the mice.