Abstract
Background: Skeletal muscle is essential not only for structural integrity but also metabolic homeostasis. Muscle atrophy, the loss of muscle mass and function, is closely linked to chronic and metabolic disorders and is driven by chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired myogenesis, and disrupted protein homeostasis. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Rosa canina extract (RCE), a polyphenol-rich plant known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, in vitro and in vivo models of muscle atrophy. Methods: We investigated the effects of RCE in TNF-α-treated L6 myotubes and a mouse model (eight-week-old male C57BL/6N) of immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Markers of inflammation, oxidative stress, myogenesis, protein turnover, and anabolic signaling were analyzed via RT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA. Muscle mass, performance, micro-CT imaging, and histological cross-sectional area were assessed in vivo. Results: RCE suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines, restored antioxidant enzyme expression, and preserved myogenic markers. It inhibited muscle proteolysis by downregulating the genes involved in protein degradation and promoted protein synthesis by via activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. In mice, RCE mitigated muscle mass loss, preserved fiber cross-sectional area, improved strength and endurance, and restored muscle volume. Conclusions: RCE attenuated muscle atrophy by targeting inflammation, oxidative stress, proteolysis, and impaired anabolism. These findings highlight RCE as a promising natural therapeutic for preserving muscle health and metabolic homeostasis.