Wheat seedlings extract ameliorates sarcopenia in aged mice by regulating protein synthesis and degradation with anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial biogenesis effects

Chronic inflammation, which becomes more prevalent during aging, contributes to sarcopenia by reducing muscle mass and strength. Wheat seedlings extract (WSE) is known for its various physiological activities, including anti-inflammation and antioxidant effects. However, its efficacy against sarcopenia is not well documented. 8-week-old and 50-week-old C57BL/6J mice were used as young control (YC group) and aged controls (AC group), respectively. Then, aged mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (WSE100mg/kg, WSE200mg/kg, WSE400mg/kg, and schizandrin as a positive control) and fed each experimental diet for 10 weeks. We investigated the effects of WSE on muscle quality and protein homeostasis pathways based on improvements in mitochondrial function and chronic inflammation. We then used TNFα-treated C2C12 to investigate the effects of isoorientin (ISO) and isoschaftoside (ISS), the active substances of WSE, on the myogenic pathway. We administered WSE to aging mice and observed an increase in muscle mass, thickness, protein content, and strength in mice treated with WSE at a dose of 200mg/kg or 400mg/kg. Furthermore, the administration of WSE led to a reduction in inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-1, and IL-6) and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis (p-AMPK/SIRT3/PGC1α) in muscle. This effect was also observed in TNFα-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 cells, and we additionally identified the upregulation of myogenic regulatory factors, including Myf5, Myf6, MyoD, and myogenin, by WSE, ISO, and ISS. These findings suggest that WSE could function as a dietary anti-inflammatory factor and mitochondrial activator, potentially exerting modulatory effects on the metabolism and mechanical properties of skeletal muscles in the aging population. Furthermore, Our results demonstrate the potential value of ISO and ISS as functional food ingredients for preventing muscle atrophy.