Researchers have discovered a natural compound in apple peels called Ursolic Acid that shows promise in preventing muscle weakening associated with illness and aging. The findings, published in the June issue of Cell Metabolism, present Ursolic Acid as a potential nutritional therapy for this prevalent and debilitating condition.
Muscle wasting is a common occurrence during illness and aging, leading to prolonged hospital stays, delayed recoveries, and sometimes preventing individuals from returning home. Currently, there is limited understanding of muscle wasting, and no specific medicine exists to address it.
The research team investigated the gene activity in muscles under conditions that promote muscle weakening. They identified 63 genes that change during fasting in both humans and mice, as well as an additional 29 genes that show altered expression in the muscles of fasting individuals and those with spinal cord injuries. By comparing the gene expression signatures to cells treated with over 1300 bio-active small molecules, Ursolic Acid emerged as a compound with potential effects to counteract muscle atrophy.
Ursolic Acid is a fascinating natural compound and a component of apple peels, commonly found in the everyday diet. As the saying goes, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." In experiments conducted on fasted laboratory subjects, Ursolic Acid demonstrated its ability to protect against muscle weakening, as predicted. When added to the diet of normal subjects over several weeks, it resulted in muscle growth. These effects were attributed to improved insulin signaling in the muscles and corrections in the gene signatures associated with muscle atrophy.
Furthermore, the subjects receiving Ursolic Acid became leaner and showed lower levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides in their blood. These findings suggest that Ursolic Acid may contribute to the overall benefits of a healthy diet.
The researchers emphasized the importance of a balanced diet, noting that individuals who consume junk food may not obtain sufficient amounts of Ursolic Acid. While it remains unclear whether these findings will apply directly to human patients, the next step is to determine if Ursolic Acid can provide benefits in a clinical setting. Additionally, it is yet to be determined whether the levels of Ursolic Acid typically consumed through a normal diet would be sufficient for the desired effects.
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