Schisandra chinensis extract ameliorates age-related muscle wasting and bone loss in ovariectomized rats

Exercise and healthy diet consumption support healthy aging. Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) also known as “Baill.” has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, the role of S. chinensis as an antiaging compound has yet to be demonstrated. This study elucidated the antiaging effect of S. chinensis ethanol–hexane extract (C1) and the effect of C1 treatment on muscle and bone following physical exercise in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. RAW 264.7, human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs), C2C12 myoblasts, bone marrow macrophages, and MC3T3-E1 cells were used for in vitro, and muscle and bone of OVX rats were used for in vivo study to demonstrate the effect of C1. The C1 significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory molecules, β-galactosidase activity, and improved antioxidant activity via down-regulation of reactive oxygen species in RAW 264.7 and aged HDF cells. The C1 with exercise improved muscle regeneration in skeletal muscle of OVX rats by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy. C1 induced osteoblast differentiation, and C1 + exercise modulated the bone formation and bone resorption in OVX rats. C1 exhibited anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, myogenic, and osteogenic effects. C1 with exercise improved age-related muscle wasting and bone loss. Therefore, S. chinensis may be a potential prevent agent for age-related diseases such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis.