The effect of Bu Zhong Yi Qi decoction on simulated weightlessness-induced muscle atrophy and its mechanisms

Abstract

Microgravity has been previously demonstrated to induce skeletal muscle atrophy, loss of muscle force and disorders in myogenesis and metabolism. Current pharmacological strategies exhibit poor efficacy. Bu Zhong Yi Qi decoction (BZ) is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine decoction used for myasthenia gravis. In the present study, its effect on unloading induced muscle atrophy was investigated. The mousetail suspension model was used to simulate weightlessness induced muscle atrophy. The results indicated that BZ could significantly protect muscles from simulated weightlessness-induced atrophy. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, drugCIPHER-CS methods were introduced to predict its potential targets, significantly enriched pathways and biological processes. The results demonstrated that the calcium signaling pathway, citrate cycle, biosynthetic and lipid metabolic process are affected by BZ. Among the targets, nuclear receptor corepressor 1 (NCoR1) is one of the most important proteins involved in myogenesis and metabolism. The results indicated that BZ significantly downregulated NCoR 1 expression, and further induced muscle differentiation and metabolism by regulating NCoR1-associated gene expression in vivo and in vitro. In summary, the present study indicated that may be effective in combating weightlessness-induced muscle atrophy. Combined with bioinformatics, the underlying mechanism for this decoction was investigated, which provided an improved understanding of this decoction.

A Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Therapies on Muscular Atrophy: A Literature Review of In Vivo/In Vitro Studies

“…In Cho SG et al, the combination of Schisandra chinensis Baill, Lycium chinense Mill, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliv inhibited muscular atrophy and increased muscle strength and cross-sectional area of muscle fiber [36]. Zhu M et al also reported the similar effects on muscular atrophy by using Bu Zhong Yi Qi decoction [37].…”

“…LE enhanced those proteins and also activated the PI3K-Akt/mTOR signaling pathway [34]. In Zhu M. et al, the results indicated that Bu Zhong Yi Qi decoction (BZ) significantly downregulated NCoR1 expression and further induced muscle differentiation and metabolism by regulating NCoR1-associated gene expression [37].…”

Proteomic Contributions to Medicinal Plant Research: From Plant Metabolism to Pharmacological Action

“…The report also showed the multiple effects of medicinal plants on ischemic stroke including the protective role and recovery against injury [ 65 ]. Buzhong Yiqi is a herbal formula used for treating various conditions [ 66 ] such as muscle atrophy, whereby the decoction can downregulate nuclear receptor corepressor 1 and its downstream factors [ 67 ]. Mitochondrial oxidative metabolism was identified as the mechanism underlying the Buzhong Yiqi-mediated recovery of muscle quantity [ 67 ].…”

“…Buzhong Yiqi is a herbal formula used for treating various conditions [ 66 ] such as muscle atrophy, whereby the decoction can downregulate nuclear receptor corepressor 1 and its downstream factors [ 67 ]. Mitochondrial oxidative metabolism was identified as the mechanism underlying the Buzhong Yiqi-mediated recovery of muscle quantity [ 67 ]. Furthermore, the therapeutic mechanism underlying Shufeng Jiedu comprises eight medicinal herbs, and AKT1 kinase was considered as a key factor in acute lung injury [ 68 ].…”

Identifying the functions and biomarkers of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus aqueous extracts in hepatic cells

“…Qi-deficiency symptoms include shortness of breath, lassitude, listlessness, spontaneous sweating, a pale tongue, and a weak pulse [ 1 ]. Many related single or complex formulas have been widely prescribed in TCM to ameliorate these symptoms [ 2 , 3 ].…”