Panduratin A Prevents Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha-Induced Muscle Atrophy in L6 Rat Skeletal Muscle Cells

Panduratin A, a prenylated chalcone compound, has anti-obesity, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. However, its preventive effect on muscle atrophy has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of panduratin A on muscle atrophy and to investigate its molecular mechanisms in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-treated L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. Panduratin A restored the myotube diameter reduced by TNF-α. At the molecular level, panduratin A elevated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway and stimulated the MyoD and myogenin mRNA expression decreased by TNF-α. However, panduratin A attenuated the mRNA expression of E3 ubiquitin ligase and autophagy-related genes. Moreover, panduratin A significantly inhibited reactive oxygen species production by increasing the mRNA expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase. Overall, panduratin A might be a useful agent for the treatment of muscle atrophy.