The <i>Panax ginseng</i> Berry Extract and Soluble Whey Protein Hydrolysate Mixture Ameliorates Sarcopenia-Related Muscular Deterioration in Aged Mice

Abstract

Sarcopenia is prevalent as the aging population grows. Therefore, the need for supplements for the elderly is increasing. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of a Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) and soluble whey protein hydrolysate (WPH) mixture on a sarcopenia-related muscular deterioration in aged mice. Ten-month-old male C57BL/6J mice were administered three different doses of the GBE + WPH mixture for 8 weeks; 700 mg/kg, 900 mg/kg, and 1100 mg/kg. Grip strength, serum inflammatory cytokines level, and mass of muscle tissues were estimated. The deteriorating function of aging muscle was investigated via protein or gene expression. Grip strength and mass of three muscle tissues were increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner, and increased anti-inflammatory cytokine alleviated systemic inflammatory state. The mixture resolved the imbalance of muscle protein turnover through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and increased gene expression of the muscle regeneration-related factors, while decreasing myostatin, which interferes with muscle protein synthesis and regeneration. Furthermore, we confirmed that increased mitochondria number in muscle with the improvement of mitochondrial biogenesis. These physiological changes were similar to the effects of exercise.

Keywords

• sarcopenia
• <i>Panax ginseng</i> berry extract
• soluble whey protein hydrolysate
• muscular deterioration
• aging
• skeletal muscle