Effects of Ulmus macrocarpa Extract and Catechin 7-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside on Muscle Loss and Muscle Atrophy in C2C12 Murine Skeletal Muscle Cells.

Muscle atrophy is known to be one of the symptoms leading to sarcopenia, which significantly impacts the quality of life, mortality, and morbidity. Therefore, the development of therapeutics for muscle atrophy is essential. This study focuses on addressing muscle loss and atrophy using Ulmus macrocarpa extract and its marker compound, catechin 7-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside, by investigating their effects on biomarkers associated with muscle cell apoptosis. Additionally, protein and gene expression in a muscle atrophy model were examined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Ulmus macrocarpa has been used as food or medicine due to its safety, including its roots, barks, and fruit. Catechin 7-O-ß-D apiofuranoside is an indicator substance of plants of the Ulmus genus and has been reported to have various effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The experimental results demonstrated that catechin glycoside and Ulmus macrocarpa extract decreased the expression of the muscle-degradation-related proteins Atrogin-1 and Muscle RING-Finger protein-1 (MuRF1) while increasing the expression of the muscle-synthesis-related proteins Myoblast determination (MyoD) and Myogenin. Gene expression confirmation experiments validated a decrease in the expression of Atrogin and MuRF1 mRNA and an increase in the expression of MyoD and Myogenin mRNA. Furthermore, an examination of muscle protein expression associated with the protein kinase B (Akt)/forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling pathway confirmed a decrease in the expression of FoxO, a regulator of muscle protein degradation. These results confirm the potential of Ulmus macrocarpa extract to inhibit muscle apoptosis, prevent muscle decomposition, and promote the development of functional materials for muscle synthesis, health-functional foods, and natural-product-derived medicines.

The Impact of Ulmus macrocarpa Extracts on a Model of Sarcopenia-Induced C57BL/6 Mice.

Aging leads to tissue and cellular changes, often driven by oxidative stress and inflammation, which contribute to age-related diseases. Our research focuses on harnessing the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Korean Ulmus macrocarpa Hance, a traditional herbal remedy, to address muscle loss and atrophy. We evaluated the effects of Ulmus extract on various parameters in a muscle atrophy model, including weight, exercise performance, grip strength, body composition, muscle mass, and fiber characteristics. Additionally, we conducted Western blot and RT-PCR analyses to examine muscle protein regulation, apoptosis factors, inflammation, and antioxidants. In a dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy model, Ulmus extract administration promoted genes related to muscle formation while reducing those associated with muscle atrophy. It also mitigated inflammation and boosted muscle antioxidants, indicating a potential improvement in muscle atrophy. These findings highlight the promise of Ulmus extract for developing pharmaceuticals and supplements to combat muscle loss and atrophy, paving the way for clinical applications.

Regulation of Cytokines and Dihydrotestosterone Production in Human Hair Follicle Papilla Cells by Supercritical Extraction-Residues Extract of Ulmus davidiana.

This study was conducted to examine the anti-hair loss mechanism of the supercritical fluid extraction-residues extract of Ulmus davidiana by the regulation of cytokine production and hormone function in human dermal follicle papilla cells (HDFPCs). To investigate the modulatory effects on H2O2-induced cytokines, we measured transforming growth factor-beta and insulin-like growth factor 1 secreted from HDFPCs. To investigate the regulatory effects of supercritical extraction-residues extract of Ulmus davidiana on dihydrotestosterone hormone production, cells were co-incubated with high concentrations of testosterone. The supercritical extraction-residues extract of Ulmus davidiana significantly inhibited the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta but rescued insulin-like growth factor 1 in a dose-dependent manner. The supercritical extraction-residues extract of Ulmus davidiana markedly reduced dihydrotestosterone production. These results suggest that the supercritical fluid extract residues of Ulmus davidiana and their functional molecules are candidates for preventing human hair loss.

Evaluation of MAGE-A expression and grade of dysplasia for predicting malignant progression of oral leukoplakia.

The risk of the malignant transformation of oral leukoplakia (OLP) is difficult to predict by histopathology. Melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) expression is restricted to malignant cells and may be useful for the more accurate estimation of the potential malignant transformation of pre-malignant lesions. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the expression of MAGE-A can be used to predict the malignant transformation of OLP. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples of OLP from 74 patients followed-up for at least 5 years were included. A total of 24 progressing and 50 non-progressing OLP, 18 corresponding tumor and 30 healthy mucosa specimens were analysed for MAGE-A 1, 3, 4, 6 10 and 12 expression by nested real­time RT-PCR and graded for dysplasia. In total, 46% of the progressing lesions expressed at least 1 out of the examined MAGE-A antigens, whereas no expression was detected in any of the non-progressing OLP and normal specimens. The correlation between malignant transformation and MAGE-A expression was statistically significant (p=0.00001). Furthermore, 42% of the progressing OLPs without dysplasia (D0) expressed at least 1 antigen. The correlation between the grade of dysplasia and MAGE-A staining in the malignant transformation group was not significant (p=0.08). The detection of at least 1 MAGE-A antigen may allow the identification of high-risk lesions that may progress into carcinoma with time. Therefore, the investigation of MAGE-A expression should be assessed in order to obtain a more accurate evaluation of the potential cancer risk of OLP.