2. Academic Validation
  3. Ginsenosides Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 ameliorate dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes

Ginsenosides Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 ameliorate dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 myotubes

  • Food Sci Biotechnol. 2023 Aug 18;33(5):1233-1243. doi: 10.1007/s10068-023-01407-w.
Xiao Men 1,  Xionggao Han 1,  Se-Jeong Lee 1,  Geon Oh 1,  Ji-Hyun Im 1,  Kwi Sik Bae 2,  Geum-Su Seong 3,  Im-Joung La 4,  Do-Sang Lee 4,  Sun-Il Choi 1 5,  Ok-Hwan Lee 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Food Biotechnology and Environmental Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341 Republic of Korea.
  • 2 F&B Bio Co., Ltd, Cheonan, 31005 Korea.
  • 3 Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju, 55365 Korea.
  • 4 Atomy R&D Center, Gongju, 32511 Korea.
  • 5 Agricultural and Life Sciences Research Institute, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341 Republic of Korea.
PMID: 38440685 DOI: 10.1007/s10068-023-01407-w
Abstract

High doses or prolonged use of the exogenous synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (Dex) can lead to muscle atrophy. In this study, the anti-atrophic effects of ginsenosides Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 on Dex-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy were assessed by XTT, myotube diameter, fusion index, and western blot analysis. The XTT assay results showed that treatment with Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 enhanced cell viability in Dex-injured C2C12 myotubes. Compared with the control group, the myotube diameter and fusion index were both reduced in Dex-treated cells, but treatment with Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 increased these parameters. Furthermore, Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 significantly downregulated the protein expression of FoxO3a, MuRF1, and Fbx32, while also upregulating mitochondrial biogenesis through the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway. It also prevents myotube atrophy by regulating the IGF-1/Akt/ mTOR signaling pathway. These findings indicate that Rh1, Rg2, and Rg3 have great potential as useful agents for the prevention and treatment of muscle atrophy.

Keywords

C2C12; Dexamethasone; Ginsenosides Rh1, Rg2, Rg3; Muscle atrophy; Myoblast differentiation.

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