Molecular Mechanisms of Anthocyanins as A Potential Nutraceutical for Muscle Regeneration

Abstract

Anthocyanins, natural pigments belonging in the flavonoid group that can be found in different types of plants, are popular bioactive compounds with various beneficial properties. In the topic of skeletal muscle, overtraining, or pathological conditions can cause excessive ROS production and chronic inflammation, leading to degradation in function, mass, and regenerative capacity. There are two sides of ROS induced inflammation. Although inflammation is needed during skeletal muscle regeneration, chronic inflammation leads to detrimental effects. Thus, in the case of imbalance of ROS in chronic inflammation, further antioxidant supplementation might be required to counter the excessive ROS. Anthocyanins, as a nutraceutical, have the potential to improve muscle function and its regenerative capacity through its redox control, increasing protein synthesis, decreasing the breakdown of muscle protein, regulating mitochondria function, regulating autophagy, preventing apoptosis, improving gut dysbiosis, and inducing myogenesis. Here, we discussed and summarized the potential molecular mechanisms of anthocyanins as a nutraceutical to promote skeletal muscle regeneration and prevent muscle wasting. Keywords: anthocyanins, muscle regeneration, nutraceutical, skeletal muscle Corresponding Author: Astrid Feinisa Khairani Division of Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran Address: Jalan Raya Bandung - Sumedang Km 21.6, Jatinangor, Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia, 45363 Email address: astrid.khairani@unpad.ac.id Tel: +62-22-7795594