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Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine >

2025 , Vol. 45 >Issue 4: 739 - 746

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.04.004

Original Articles

Qigu capsule (芪骨胶囊) alleviates dexamethasone-induced muscle dysfunction through mitochondrial biogenesis

  • Jinyu SHI ,
  • Haiya GE ,
  • Zongrui YANG ,
  • Hongsheng ZHAN
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  • 1 Shi's Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
    2 Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Shanghai Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China
ZHAN Hongsheng, Shi's Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China. shgsyjs@139.com,Telephone: +86-21-20256529

Received date: 2024-01-15

  Accepted date: 2024-04-06

  Online published: 2025-07-25

Supported by

Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Chronic Musculoskeletal Diseases(20MC1920600);Shanghai Key Clinical Specialty "Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopaedic Traumatology"(shslczdzk03901);Second Round of Construction Project of National TCM Academic School Inheritance Studio "Shi's Trauma Department"(Letter of the People's Education of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2019) No. 62);Shanghai High-level Local Universities "Chronic Muscle and Bone Damage Research and Transformation" Innovation Team(No. 3 of Shanghai Education Commission (2022));"Extension Plan for the Inheritance of Shanghai Style Traditional Chinese Medicine Schools", "Construction of TCM Specialty Alliance for Muscle and Bone Injury in East China Region and City Level"(ZY(2021-2023)-0302);Program for Shanghai High-Level Local University Innovation Team(SZY20220315);Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center Clinical Three-year Action Plan(SHDC2020CR3090B)

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential molecular mechanism of Qigu capsule (芪骨胶囊，QGC) improve the functional performance of skeletal muscle.

METHODS: The primary components of QGC were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Muscle dysfunction was established in male C57BL/6 mice treated with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg body weight, i.p., six weeks). Rotarod test, mitochondrial ultrastructure, respiratory chain complex V activity, succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed. The mitochondrial biogenesis-related protein expressions were analyzed using Western blot or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: QGC treatment enhanced Rotarod test performance. Additionally, QGC significantly alleviated dexamethasone-induced mitochondrial damage, reduced mitochondrial swelling, increased respiratory chain complex enzyme activity, SDH activity, ATP content, and decreased ROS levels. PCR and western blot results revealed that QGC enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis via adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: QGC ameliorates dexamethasone-induced skeletal muscle dysfunction by activating AMPK/ PGC-1α, which might be developed as a therapeutic agent for treating age-related muscle weakness.

Key words： sarcopenia; muscle weakness; AMP-activated protein kinases; peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha; organelle biogenesis; Qigu capsule

Cite this article

Jinyu SHI , Haiya GE , Zongrui YANG , Hongsheng ZHAN . Qigu capsule (芪骨胶囊) alleviates dexamethasone-induced muscle dysfunction through mitochondrial biogenesis[J]. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2025 , 45(4) : 739 -746 . DOI: 10.19852/j.cnki.jtcm.2025.04.004

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