A herbal combination attenuates muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia: A preclinical study

Cachexia is a life-threatening illness that affects up to 80% of cancer patients. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of herbal combination containing Boswellia serrata oleo-gum resin, Cissus quadrangularis stem and Withania somnifera root extracts (HIM-CHX) in experimental cachexia models. Muscle atrophy was assessed using C2C12 cells (skeletal muscle cells) and cancer cachexia was induced in female Wistar rats using DMBA (7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene). HIM-CHX was evaluated at three different doses: 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of body weight. The length of the myotubes in C2C12 cells treated with cisplatin was significantly reduced which was increased by the addition of HIM-CHX. When DMBA-induced cachectic rats were given HIM-CHX, their body weight, feed consumption, muscle mass and longevity increased significantly and tumour necrosis factor TNI·'-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and myostatin decreased. The expression of muscle ring finger (MuRF)-1 gene was downregulated in the gastrocnemius muscle and the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGI)-1 and IL-15 genes were upregulated. According to histological assessment, muscle atrophy improved in a dose-dependent manner. HIM-CHX regulates proinflammatory cytokines, myokines and genes involved in protein synthesis and proteolysis which helps to cure cachexia.