Boswellic acid modulates myogenic and hypertrophic signaling in vitro: implications for muscle aging

Abstract Background This study investigated the myogenic regenerative capacity and myocyte hypertrophy effects of boswellic acid (BA), a bioactive triterpenoid compound derived from traditional herbal medicine, on skeletal muscle cells in vitro. Materials and methods C2C12 murine skeletal muscle cells were treated with boswellic acid (BA) to evaluate its potential to enhance satellite cell activation, promote myogenic differentiation, and stimulate hypertrophy-associated signaling pathways. Cell viability was determined using the XTT assay. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect Pax7 and MyoD expression. Relative mRNA expression levels of Pax7, Myf5, MyoD, and MyoG were quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Protein expression levels of Pax7, Myf5, MyoD, MyoG, Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, β-actin and GAPDH were analyzed by Western blotting. Results BA treatment resulted in a 17% increase in the number of Pax7-positive cells, indicating elevated satellite cell activity. Furthermore, mRNA and protein levels of critical myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs), including Myf5, MyoD, and MyoG, were significantly upregulated following BA treatment, suggesting accelerated progression through the myogenic differentiation program and a 2–4 h advancement in the myoblast renewal cycle. In addition, BA treatment significantly enhanced myotube hypertrophy through the activation of key hypertrophic signaling pathways, including increased phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K. Conclusion Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of BA as a nutraceutical agent to enhance muscle differentiation, hypertrophy, and provide a potential novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating muscle aging. Nevertheless, additional in vivo and clinical investigations are warranted before any therapeutic relevance can be established.