Catalpa bignonioides extract improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Catalpa bignonioides fruit extract on the promotion of muscle growth and muscular capacity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using a 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay kit. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of related factors. The effects of Catalpa bignonioides extract were investigated in mice using the treadmill exhaustion test and whole-limb grip strength assay. Chemical composition analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Catalpa bignonioides extract increased the proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. It also induced metabolic changes, increasing the number of mitochondria and glucose metabolism by phosphorylating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In an in vivo study, the extract-treated mice showed improved motor abilities, such as muscular endurance and grip strength. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that vanillic acid may be the main component of the Catalpa bignonioides extract that enhanced muscle strength. Conclusions: Catalpa bignonioides improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles, suggesting its potential as an effective natural agent for improving muscular strength.

Keywords

Catalpa bignonioides / Skeletal muscle / Cell proliferation / Mitochondria / Energy metabolism / C2C12

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding

This work was supported by Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute through Project to make multi-ministerial national biological research resources more advanced Project, funded by Korea Ministry of Environment (grant number RS-2023-00230403).

Data availability statement

The data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding authors upon request.

Authors’ contributions

SHC and KNK supervised and designed the study. HJ, DJL, SPK, SRK, JWP, BY, JIP, and SHC performed experimental analysis. HJ, DCL, KMC, and WWL performed the analytic calculation. SP and SHK provided the resources. HJ, DJL, SHC, KNK contributed to the final version of the manuscript. KNK supervised the project.

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