Plant‑derived natural products alleviate dexamethasone‑induced skeletal muscle atrophy by modulating FoxO (Review)

Dai,Wei; Wu,Jiabin; Ma,Xiaotong; Wu,Mingyu; Li,Ke; Gao,Haoyang; Wang,Wenhong; Xiao,Weihua

doi:10.3892/ijmm.2026.5883

August-2026 Volume 58 Issue 2

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August-2026 Volume 58 Issue 2

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Review Open Access

Plant‑derived natural products alleviate dexamethasone‑induced skeletal muscle atrophy by modulating FoxO (Review)

Authors:
- Wei Dai
- Jiabin Wu
- Xiaotong Ma
- Mingyu Wu
- Ke Li
- Haoyang Gao
- Wenhong Wang
- Weihua Xiao
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance (Shanghai University of Sport), Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Human Performance (Shanghai University of Sport), Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, P.R. China

Copyright: © Dai et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Article Number: 212
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Published online on: June 5, 2026

https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.5883
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Abstract

Muscle atrophy (MA) is a major global health issue, and systematic strategies for its prevention and treatment are lacking. Diverse factors contribute to MA, amongst which the exogenous over‑supplementation and endogenous pathological elevation of glucocorticoids (GCs) are key causes. The present study summarizes MA induced by the GC dexamethasone (DEX) and its molecular mechanisms, including protein metabolism imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormalities in epigenetic regulatory proteins, to explore potential therapeutic approaches for MA. FoxO transcription factor serves a central regulatory role in DEX‑induced MA by modulating the ubiquitin‑proteasome system, autophagy‑lysosomal system and energy metabolism pathways. Therefore, FoxO may serve as a critical therapeutic target for DEX‑induced MA. Plant‑derived natural products are promising candidates for the development of clinical drugs for tumors, myocardial infarction and diabetic nephropathy. These products protect against MA by regulating FoxO activity through multiple signaling pathways, including Akt, AMPK, and SIRT. Plant monomer compounds, such as flavonoids, polyphenols and terpenes, exert therapeutic effects and may provide new strategies for the precise prevention and treatment of MA induced by elevated GC levels.

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Plant‑derived natural products alleviate dexamethasone‑induced skeletal muscle atrophy by modulating FoxO (Review)

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Abstract

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