Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Improves Handgrip Strength and Increases Vastus lateralis Myosin Regulatory Light Chain Phosphorylation but Does Not Alter Markers of Bone Turnover

Abstract

Shatavari has long been used as an Ayurvedic herb for women’s health, but empirical evidence for its effectiveness has been lacking. Shatavari contains phytoestrogenic compounds that bind to the estradiol receptor. Postmenopausal estradiol deficiency contributes to sarcopenia and osteoporosis. In a randomised double-blind trial, 20 postmenopausal women (68.5 ± 6 years) ingested either placebo (N = 10) or shatavari (N = 10; 1000 mg/d, equivalent to 26,500 mg/d fresh weight shatavari) for 6 weeks. Handgrip and knee extensor strength were measured at baseline and at 6 weeks. Vastus lateralis (VL) biopsy samples were obtained. Data are presented as difference scores (Week 6—baseline, median ± interquartile range). Handgrip (but not knee extensor) strength was improved by shatavari supplementation (shatavari +0.7 ± 1.1 kg, placebo −0.4 ± 1.3 kg; p = 0.04). Myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, a known marker of improved myosin contractile function, was increased in VL following shatavari supplementation (immunoblotting; placebo −0.08 ± 0.5 a.u., shatavari +0.3 ± 1 arbitrary units (a.u.); p = 0.03). Shatavari increased the phosphorylation of Aktser473 (Aktser473 (placebo −0.6 ± 0.6 a.u., shatavari +0.2 ± 1.3 a.u.; p = 0.03) in VL. Shatavari supplementation did not alter plasma markers of bone turnover (P1NP, β-CTX) and stimulation of human osteoblasts with pooled sera (N = 8 per condition) from placebo and shatavari supplementation conditions did not alter cytokine or metabolic markers of osteoblast activity. Shatavari may improve muscle function and contractility via myosin conformational change and further investigation of its utility in conserving and enhancing musculoskeletal function, in larger and more diverse cohorts, is warranted.

Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Alters the Skeletal Muscle Proteome and Upregulates Proteins and Pathways Involved in Training Adaptation

“…Recently, evidence has emerged that shatavari supplementation may increase skeletal muscle strength. We showed that 6 weeks of shatavari supplementation signi cantly improved handgrip strength in postmenopausal women [1]. Further, myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, which is a known marker of improved myosin contractile function, was increased in the vastus lateralis following shatavari supplementation.…”

“…Estradiol receptor activation by phytoestrogens could improve muscle strength, particularly in the estradiol de cient postmenopausal population that we studied previously. Indeed, this was the rationale for our original work [1]. Estradiol is known to improve myosin binding function and muscle force production [3].…”

Research Trends in Korean Medicine Treatment for Sarcopenia: Scoping Review

“…최종 선정된 연구 45편 중 10편의 임상 연구에 포함된 한의학적 중재를 살펴보면 4편 [15][16][17][18] 은 한약에 대한 연구 였으며 이 중 3편은 추출물, 1편은 탕약이었다. 그 다음 으로 도인운동을 다룬 연구가 3편 [19][20][21] , 전침을 포함한 침술이 1건 22) 이었으며 한의복합치료는 2건 23,24) 이었다.…”

“…한약의 경우, 한국 겨우살이(Korean mistletoe) 추출물, 10편의 임상 연구 중 8편 [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] 에서 악력(handgrip strength)…”

Expert consensus on the role of nutraceuticals in women's health: Menarche to menopause

“…Shatavari, also known as Asparagus racemosus Willd, is an ancient ayurvedic herb with phytoestrogenic effects. It maintains muscle (ergogenic) and bone health in postmenopausal women [36] .…”