Background: Sarcopenia refers to a progressive decline in muscle mass and strength, primarily caused by increased oxidative stress and chronic low-level inflammation associated with aging. Tinospora cordifolia (TC) and Terminalia chebula (TCH) have been extensively utilized in Ayurvedic medicine due to their evident antioxidant and anti-inflammatory attributes; hence, they may prove beneficial in mitigating the progression of sarcopenia. Methods: TC and TCH were administered as supplements over an 8-month period to 10-monthold mice. The levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and sarcopenia markers were assessed using biochemical assays, quantitative PCR, and Western blotting. The integrity of muscular tissue was evaluated through histological, wet muscle, and body mass analysis. Results: The TC and TCH interventions elevated the levels of Akt1 and Pgc-1α (~2.0-fold) and diminished muscle atrophy markers (Atf4, Fbxo32, Trim63), pro-inflammatory cytokines (Il6, Il1β, Tnfα), and modulated apoptotic markers (Bax and Bcl2) in aged mice, hence maintaining levels near those of younger controls. Furthermore, the interventions of TC, TCH, and their synergistic application effectively sustained the expression of myogenic factors, namely Myod and Myog, and of sarcopenia markers, such as Atf4, Gadd45α, Bmp-7, and Hspa1b, at levels akin to those of young controls, showing negligible declines. These findings were corroborated with significantly enhanced fiber compactness, cross-sectional area, mitochondrial content, and reduced fiber type switching in aged mice. discussion: - Discussion: TC and TCH effectively mitigated the oxidative burden and inflammation and upregulated myogenesis in aged mice. Conclusion: TC and TCH may serve as therapeutic options to address sarcopenia-induced muscle wasting and need clinical trials.
Ladwal et al. (Fri,) studied this question.