Oleanolic acid alleviates obesity‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

Abstract

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a pentacyclic triterpene with reported protective effects against various diseases, including diabetes, hepatitis, and different cancers. However, the effects of OA on obesity‐induced muscle atrophy remain largely unknown. This study investigated the effects of OA on skeletal muscle production and proliferation of C2C12 cells. We report that OA significantly increased skeletal muscle mass and improved glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. OA inhibited dexamethasone (Dex)‐induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myoblasts by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. In addition, it also inhibited expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin1 genes in skeletal muscle of obese mice suffering from muscle atrophy, and increased the activation of PI3K and Akt, thereby promoting protein synthesis, and eventually alleviating muscle atrophy. Taken together, these findings suggest OA may have potential for the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy.

Unlocking the Potential of Oleanolic Acid: Integrating Pharmacological Insights and Advancements in Delivery Systems

“…It was found that OA significantly boosts skeletal muscle mass, improves glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and inhibits dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, OA reduces the expression of atrophy-related genes in the skeletal muscle of obese mice and enhances PI3K/Akt activation, promoting protein synthesis and alleviating muscle atrophy [ 75 ]. A study investigated OA’s therapeutic effects on renal ischemia reperfusion injury (RIRI) and its mechanism.…”