Nguyen, Bao Ngoc Le, Tam Thi Kang, Suk Woo Cha, Kwang Hyun Choi, Sowoon Youn, Hye-Young Jung, Sang Hoon Kim, Myung Suk 2024-05-16T01:30:11Z 2024-05-16T01:30:11Z 2024-05-14 2024-04 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/149843 Sarcopenia, a decline in muscle mass and strength, can be triggered by aging or medications like glucocorticoids. This study investigated cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) water extract (CC) as a potential protective agent against DEX-induced muscle wasting in vitro and in vivo. CC and its isolated compounds mitigated oxidative stress, promoted myofiber growth, and boosted ATP production in C2C12 myotubes. Mechanistically, CC reduced protein degradation markers, increased mitochondrial content, and activated protein synthesis signaling. Docking analysis suggested cannabinoid receptors (CB) 1 and 2 as potential targets of CC compounds. Specifically, graveobioside A from CC inhibited CB1 and upregulated CB2, subsequently stimulating protein synthesis and suppressing degradation. In vivo, CC treatment attenuated DEX-induced muscle wasting, as evidenced by enhanced grip strength, exercise performance, and modulation of muscle gene expression related to differentiation, protein turnover, and exercise performance. Moreover, CC enriched gut microbial diversity, and the abundance of Clostridium sensu stricto 1 positively correlated with muscle mass. These findings suggest a multifaceted mode of action for CC: (1) direct modulation of the muscle cannabinoid receptor system favoring anabolic processes and (2) indirect modulation of muscle health through the gut microbiome. Overall, CC presents a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing and treating muscle atrophy. English Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) Cornflower Extract and Its Active Components Alleviate Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Wasting by Targeting Cannabinoid Receptors and Modulating Gut Microbiota Article 10.3390/nu16081130 1 Nutrients, v.16, no.8 Nutrients 16 8 Y scie scopus 001211396000001 Nutrition & Dietetics Nutrition & Dietetics Article SKELETAL-MUSCLE PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS MYF5 AKT ATROPHY SARCOPENIA PROJECT LEAVES dexamethasone cannabinoid receptors gut microbiota Centaurea cyanus muscle atrophy