Flavonoids: nutraceutical potential for counteracting muscle atrophy

Abstract

Skeletal muscle plays a vital role in the conversion of chemical energy into physical force. Muscle atrophy, characterized by a reduction in muscle mass, is a symptom of chronic disease (cachexia), aging (sarcopenia), and muscle disuse (inactivity). To date, several trials have been conducted to prevent and inhibit muscle atrophy development; however, few interventions are currently available for muscle atrophy. Recently, food ingredients, plant extracts, and phytochemicals have received attention as treatment sources to prevent muscle wasting. Flavonoids are bioactive polyphenol compounds found in foods and plants. They possess diverse biological activities, including anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation. The effects of flavonoids on muscle atrophy have been investigated by monitoring molecular mechanisms involved in protein turnover, mitochondrial activity, and myogenesis. This review summarizes the reported effects of flavonoids on sarcopenia, cachexia, and disuse muscle atrophy, thus, providing an insight into the understanding of the associated molecular mechanisms.

Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation to Old Wistar Rats Attenuates Aging-Induced Sarcopenia and Increases Insulin Sensitivity in Adipose Tissue and Skeletal Muscle

“…Since polyphenols are present both in EVOO and in OLE, it is possible that these molecules are responsible, at least in part, for the beneficial effects of both nutraceuticals on aging-induced sarcopenia. Indeed, flavonoids have been proposed as potential candidates to treat muscle atrophy due to their role in improving mitochondrial function [ 72 ] and decreasing proteolysis through the downregulation of myostatin [ 73 ] and the atrogenes MURF-1 and atrogin-1 [ 74 ]. Moreover, flavonoids are reported to promote myogenesis, upregulating the protein expression of myogenic markers, such as MyoD and myogenin [ 74 ].…”

“…Indeed, flavonoids have been proposed as potential candidates to treat muscle atrophy due to their role in improving mitochondrial function [ 72 ] and decreasing proteolysis through the downregulation of myostatin [ 73 ] and the atrogenes MURF-1 and atrogin-1 [ 74 ]. Moreover, flavonoids are reported to promote myogenesis, upregulating the protein expression of myogenic markers, such as MyoD and myogenin [ 74 ]. In this regard, our results show that aging was associated with an upregulation of both MyoD and myogenin and that OLE treatment significantly reduced their mRNA expression in the gastrocnemius muscle.…”

Nutraceuticals in the Prevention and Treatment of the Muscle Atrophy

“…In C2C12 myoblasts and 3T3-L1 cells, it decreases the expression of muscle degradation factors (MAFbx and MuRF1) and increases adipocytes differentiation factors, respectively [157]. Collectively, phytochemicals play an essential role in the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy, especially in reducing muscle protein degradation and promoting muscle protein synthesis [17,18]. Their primary mechanism includes the enhancement of myoblast differentiation, prevention of muscle protein degradation, the promotion of protein synthesis and myogenesis, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and the downregulation of atrophy-related gene expression.…”

“…Evidence from various preclinical studies has revealed that nutraceuticals play a significant role in maintaining muscle health and emerge as potential therapeutic agents in a broad range of muscle atrophy models [17,18]. For example, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and probiotics show beneficial regulatory effects on muscle cells or tissues and they seem to be potentially more suitable for long-term use than traditional therapeutic agents.…”

Soy Food Consumption Is Inversely Associated with Handgrip Strength: Results from the TCLSIH Cohort Study

“…It is cheap, affordable and is uniquely rich in high quality protein, vitamins, polyunsaturated fat and is the primary source of isoflavones [ 14 ]. All of these nutrients are essential for the health of skeletal muscle [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. For example, in animal studies, Abe T. et al demonstrated that supplementation of dietary soy glycinin protein could prevent myofiber cross sectional area decrease and muscle atrophy in denervated mice by suppressing ubiquitination and degradation of insulin receptor substrate-1 [ 18 ].…”