A Cervus Elaphus and Eucommia Ulmoides Extract Blend Attenuates Muscle Atrophy by Regulating Protein Metabolism and Antioxidant Activity

Here, we investigated whether a mixture of Cervus elaphus and Eucommia ulmoides (1:3, KGC01CE) could suppress muscle atrophy in H₂O₂-induced C2C12 cells and dexamethasone-injected mice. Our results revealed that KGC01CE effectively safeguarded against H₂O₂-induced muscle atrophy in C2C12 cells compared with the same mixture at other ratios. We demonstrated that dexamethasone elicited oxidative stress in muscle tissue and decreased the grip strength and cross-sectional areas of muscle fibers; however, oral administration of KGC01CE (1:3) suppressed these dexamethasone-induced changes. Furthermore, oral KGC01CE (1:3) administration suppressed the expression of protein degradation-associated factors, myostatin, muscle RING finger 1, and atrogin-1 in muscle tissue from dexamethasone-injected mice. Oral KGC01CE administration stimulated protein synthesis by stimulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in muscle tissue from dexamethasone-injected mice. These findings indicate that KGC01CE can suppress dexamethasone injection-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting protein degradation and promoting muscle hypertrophy. Therefore, KGC01CE supplementation helps prevent muscle atrophy in mice and may be beneficial against various components of muscle atrophy.