A decrease in skeletal muscle mass and motor function occurs in diabetic patients. In type 1 diabetic patients, in particular, fast-type fiber-dominated
muscle atrophy occurs due to increased oxidative stress and
inflammation.
Juzentaihoto is a herbal medicine that has been found to be effective in reducing oxidative stress. In this study,
juzentaihoto hot water extract (JTT) was administered prophylactically to mice with diabetic oxidative stress, which was induced by an injection of
streptozotocin, and the effects on skeletal muscle mass, motor function, and
antioxidant activity were evaluated. In mice that were administered JTT, skeletal muscle
atrophy and loss of motor function were suppressed. Additionally, the administration of JTT increased the
mRNA expression level of
Sirt1 and the activity of
superoxide dismutase in the gastrocnemius. In addition to skeletal muscle
atrophy,
atrophy of the liver, spleen and thymus gland, and kidney
hypertrophy were also suppressed. Furthermore, in order to evaluate the
antioxidant activity of 10 constituent crude drugs that comprise
juzentaihoto,
Sirt1 transcriptional activity in C2C12 cells was evaluated. The
Sirt1 transcriptional activity was increased by Cinnamomi Cortex, Astragali Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix extracts. These three constituent crude drugs play an important function in the
antioxidant action of
juzentaihoto, suggesting that
juzentaihoto can prevent
muscle atrophy by decreasing oxidative stress.