Effect of post‐harvest ultrasound treatment on phytochemical enhancement in Gynura procumbens leaves and their protection against oxidative stress‐induced muscle atrophy

TL;DR

This study shows that ultrasound treatment improves the antioxidant and muscle-protective properties of Gynura procumbens, potentially helping prevent age-related muscle loss.

Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating that ultrasound treatment enhances Gynura procumbens' phytochemical content and muscle-protective effects.

Findings

Ultrasound treatment for 10 minutes increased key antioxidant enzyme activities and levels of bioactive compounds like quercetin and rutin.

The treated extract improved cell viability under oxidative stress and promoted muscle differentiation in C2C12 cells.

Abstract

Gynura procumbens is a medicinal plant widely recognized for its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. Despite its traditional use in Southeast Asia, its potential role in promoting muscle health has not been thoroughly investigated. Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength during aging, remains a significant public health concern with limited therapeutic options. This study aimed to enhance the phytochemical content of G. procumbens leaves through ultrasound treatment and to evaluate the biological effects of treated extracts on muscle atrophy in a C2C12 myoblast and myotube model.

Ultrasound treatment for 10 min significantly increased the activities of catalase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, and tyrosine ammonia‐lyase. These enzymatic changes were associated with elevated levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids, including quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol. The 10 min ultrasound‐treated G. procumbens (UTGP) extract enhanced cell viability under oxidative stress conditions and promoted the expression of myogenic differentiation markers in C2C12 cells. Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses confirmed the accumulation of key bioactive compounds and their strong correlation with muscle‐protective activities.

Ultrasound treatment is an effective postharvest strategy to enhance the phytochemical profile and functional properties of G. procumbens. The 10 min UTGP extract demonstrated significant potential for preventing muscle atrophy by improving cellular antioxidant capacity and promoting muscle differentiation. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of G. procumbens‐based functional foods or nutraceuticals targeting age‐related muscle loss. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

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