Bioprocessed black rice bran extract (Hemicellan) ameliorates sarcopenic obesity in palmitate-induced C2C12 myotubes and high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6N mice

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of bioprocessed black rice bran extract (Hemicellan) in sarcopenic obesity using palmitic acid (PA)-induced C2C12 myotubes and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6N mice. In vitro , hemicellan significantly improved cell viability and myotube formation, while in vivo it alleviated muscle mass and strength loss. Mechanistic analyses revealed that hemicellan promoted mitochondrial biogenesis via AMPKα and SIRT1 activation, enhanced protein synthesis through the Akt/mTOR pathway, and suppressed proteolysis by inhibiting the FoxO3a/MuRF1/Atrogin-1 axis. Furthermore, hemicellan modulated obesity-associated regulators, including PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FAS, and downregulated PKCθ and PKCζ signaling, thereby restoring muscle metabolic homeostasis. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that hemicellan effectively regulates the pathological mechanisms underlying sarcopenic obesity and holds promise as a natural functional ingredient for muscle health. Its potential application in precision nutraceuticals provides a novel strategy for preventing or ameliorating sarcopenic obesity-related metabolic dysfunctions. • Sarcopenic obesity involves muscle loss and fat gain in metabolic dysfunction. • Hemicellan improved myogenic differentiation and reduced atrophy markers in vitro • It restored mitochondrial function and reactivated protein synthesis signaling in vivo. • Hemicellan may serve as a natural intervention for sarcopenic obesity management.