Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) extract regulates gene expression related to muscle atrophy and muscle hypertrophy

The Antioxidant Activity of Mistletoes (Viscum album and Other Species)

In addition to the European mistletoe, Viscum album, which is the most known and utilized one, there are several species commonly known as mistletoe. They are spread in various regions of the planet and are all characterized by hemiparasitism and epiphytic behaviour. The published studies evidence other similarities, including the sharing of important biological properties, with the common presence of antioxidant effects. However, whereas the European mistletoe is largely utilized in medical treatments, although with controversial aspects, the scientific knowledge and medical uses of other mistletoes are still insufficient. This review focuses on the controversial medical story of European mistletoe regarding its antioxidant activity and the potentiality of the other species named mistletoe pertaining to botanical families and genera different from Viscum.

Biological activity of mistletoe: in vitro and in vivo studies and mechanisms of action

Mistletoe has been used as treatment of many diseases in traditional and folk medicine. To date, anticancer, immunomodulatory, cardiac, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuropharmacological, antibacterial and antifungal properties of mistletoe extracts have been studied the most. In this review, we summarized in vitro and in vivo studies on the pharmacological activity of Viscum species. Furthermore, we proposed the possible mechanisms of action of this herb, which might include many signalling pathways. Mistletoe could regulate either similar or different targets in various pathways that act on membrane receptors, enzymes, ion channels, transporter proteins and transcriptional targets. Still, pharmacological activities of mistletoe have been investigated mainly for crude extracts. It is a new field for scientists to determined which chemical compounds are responsible for the individual biological activities of mistletoe and how these activities are achieved. As a result, mistletoe might become a source of new complementary therapies supporting the treatment of many diseases.

Natural constituents from food sources: potential therapeutic agents against muscle wasting

Skeletal muscle wasting is highly correlated with not only reduced quality of life but also higher morbidity and mortality. Although an increasing number of patients are suffering from various kinds of muscle atrophy and weakness, there is still no effective therapy available, and skeletal muscle is considered as an under-medicated organ. Food provided not only essential macronutrients but also functional substances involved in the modulation of the physiological systems of our body. Natural constituents from commonly consumed dietary plants, either extracts or compounds, have attracted more and more attention to be developed as agents for preventing and treating muscle wasting due to their safety and effectiveness, as well as structural diversity. This review provides an overview of the mechanistic aspects of muscle wasting, and summarizes the extracts and compounds from food sources as potential therapeutic agents against muscle wasting.

A Chalcone from Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) Stimulates Myoblast Differentiation and Inhibits Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy

Ashitaba, Angelica keiskei Koidzumi (AK), as a traditional medicine in Korea, Japan, and China, has been known as an elixir of life having therapeutic potential. However, there is no scientific evidence to support that Ashitaba can enhance or maintain muscle strength. To find a new therapeutic agent from the medicinal plant, we evaluated the anti-myopathy effect of chalcones from ethanol extract of AK (EAK) in cellular and animal models of muscle atrophy. To examine anti-myopathy activity, EAK was treated into dexamethasone injected rats and muscle thickness and histopathological images were analyzed. Oral administration of EAK (250 or 500 mg/kg) alleviated muscle atrophic damages and down-regulated the mRNA levels of muscle-specific ubiquitin-E3 ligases. Among ten compounds isolated from EAK, 4-hydroxyderricin was the most effective principle in stimulating myogenesis of C2C12 myoblasts via activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). In three cellular muscle atrophy models with C2C12 myoblasts damaged by dexamethasone or cancer cell-conditioned medium, 4-hydroxyderricin protected the myosin heavy chain (MHC) degradation through suppressing expressions of MAFbx, MuRF-1 and myostatin. These results suggest that the ethanol extract and its active principle, 4-hydroxyderricin from AK, can overcome the muscle atrophy through double mechanisms of decreasing muscle protein degradation and activating myoblast differentiation.