Sports supplements that stimulate the production of nitric oxide (NO) are widely promoted agents in the sports nutrition domain, and nitric oxide plays an important role to enhance the cardiovascular and physical fitness of the sports participants. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether oral intake of a sports nutritional supplement (Fitnox) is able to increase nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) levels in blood serum and saliva of healthy adults. Fitnox is a unique blend of Kaempferia parviflora methoxy flavones, pomegranate peel polyphenols, and Moringa oleifera leaf saponins. Twenty-four healthy male adults were equally divided and underwent the double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a single oral dose of sports nutrition formulation (250 mg capsules); blood and saliva samples were analyzed at different time intervals by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After administration of Fitnox (250 mg capsule as single dose), NO3- and NO2- levels in serum and saliva were found to be significantly higher (p <.05) than in the placebo group in 24 hours. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as the area under the plasma concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUC0-inf), AUC calculated to the last measured concentration (AUC0-t), maximum drug serum concentrations (Cmax), time of maximum concentration in serum observed (Tmax), and time required for the concentration of the drug to reach half of its original value (Thalf) were also statistically significant (p <.05) compared with the placebo. The results indicate that a single oral dose of Fitnox is able to increase the NO3- and NO2- levels considerably in the body relative to placebo for at least 12 hours. Therefore, Fitnox can improve the overall performance of sport participants and enhance physical endurance.
Keywords: Kaempferia parviflora; natural sports supplement formulation (Fitnox); nitrate; nitric oxide; nitrite.