Geniposide attenuates muscle atrophy via the inhibition of FoxO1 in senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8

Geniposide (GP) is an iridoid glycoside that is present in nearly 40 species, including Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. GP has been reported to exhibit neuroprotective effects in various Alzheimer's disease (AD) models; however, the effects of GP on AD models of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and aging-accelerated mouse predisposition-8 (SAMP8) mice have not yet been evaluated. To determine whether GP improves the pathology of AD and sarcopenia. AD models of C. elegans and SAMP8 mice were employed and subjected to behavioral analyses. Further, RT-PCR, histological analysis, and western blot analyses were performed to assess the expression of genes and proteins related to AD and muscle atrophy. GP treatment in the AD model of C. elegans significantly restored the observed deterioration in lifespan and motility. In SAMP8 mice, GP did not improve cognitive function deterioration by accelerated aging but ameliorated physical function deterioration. Furthermore, in differentiated C2C12 cells, GP ameliorated muscle atrophy induced by dexamethasone treatment and inhibited FoxO1 activity by activating AKT. Although GP did not improve the AD pathology in SAMP8 mice, we suggest that GP has the potential to improve muscle deterioration caused by aging. This effect of GP may be attributed to the suppression of FoxO1 activity.