Natural products and skeletal muscle health

Zhihao Qu; Shiyu Zhou; Penghui Li; Changwei Liu; Bin Yuan; Sheng Zhang; Ailing Liu

doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108619

Natural products and skeletal muscle health

J Nutr Biochem. 2021 Jul:93:108619. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108619. Epub 2021 Mar 8.

Authors

Zhihao Qu¹, Shiyu Zhou², Penghui Li³, Changwei Liu¹, Bin Yuan², Sheng Zhang⁴, Ailing Liu⁵

Affiliations

¹ National Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Functional Ingredients from Botanicals, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Utilisation of Functional Ingredients from Botanicals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
² College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
³ Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ National Research Center of Engineering Technology for Utilization of Functional Ingredients from Botanicals, Collaborative Innovation Centre of Utilisation of Functional Ingredients from Botanicals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address: zhangsheng@hunau.edu.cn.
⁵ College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address: liuailing@hunau.edu.cn.

PMID: 33705956
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2021.108619

Abstract

Skeletal muscle (SkM) is essential for body movement, energy metabolism, and material metabolism, and directly influences the quality of human life. Aging, chronic diseases, and strenuous exercise often lead to various health problems associated with SkM, including muscle atrophy, loss of muscle mass and strength, and metabolic disorders. Various natural products (NaPs), mainly resveratrol (RES), quercetin (QUE), ursolic acid (UA), ecdysone (ECD; mainly 20-OH ECD, 20-HE), and vitamin D, have been reported to protect or regulate SkM health. Some of the products are functionally equivalent to sex hormones, and some are even referred to as "plant exercise pills." However, controversy persists regarding the role of NaPs in SkM health. Therefore, this review objectively summarizes the in vivo and vitro biological activities, molecular mechanisms, and clinical research results of studies on NaPs applied in the regulation of SkM health over the past decade. The present review could advance further research on NaPs and SkM health, and facilitate the revelation of new evidence that could facilitate the application of NaPs in ensuring SkM health.

Keywords: Aging; Metabolic disorders; Muscle atrophy; Natural products; Skeletal muscle health.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Biological Products / pharmacology*
Energy Metabolism / drug effects
Homeostasis / drug effects
Humans
Mitochondria, Muscle / drug effects
Mitochondria, Muscle / metabolism
Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*

Substances

Biological Products