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Supplementation of Viscum album L. (mistletoe) might have a favorable effect on aging‐related muscle loss: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Lim Nam Ju,
Kim Joohee,
Kim Ji Yeon,
Kwon Oran
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.lb210
Subject(s) - placebo , medicine , muscle mass , skeletal muscle , sarcopenia , grip strength , muscle strength , viscum album , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , traditional medicine , pathology , alternative medicine
Aging‐related muscle weak is associated with degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The present study was investigated to test whether Viscum album L. var. coloratum Ohwi (Mistletoe) supplement can strengthen muscle mass and muscle strength in elderly subjects. A 12‐week, double‐blinded, randomized, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled trial was performed in 63 subjects over 60 years of age (60–75y). Subjects were divided into three groups (n=21 for each group): placebo, low dose of mistletoe (1g/d) and high dose of mistletoe (2g/d). We evaluated muscle mass and function between the three groups over 12 weeks by measuring muscle mass [Body composition analysis (Inbody), and the cross‐sectional muscular area], muscle strength [Electromyogram(EMG), knee flexion‐extensor strength (Cybex) and grip strength], and short physical performance battery(SPPB) [usual gait speed, timed get‐up‐and‐go test and posturography]. The results showed that the percent of relative change in muscle mass was not significantly different between the groups after the intervention period. In muscle strength, the peak torque (Flexor, left, 120°) and the set total work (Flexor, left, 120°) of cybex increased significantly in high dose of mistletoe ( P =0.017, P =0.002, respectively) compared to placebo group. In SPPB, the low dose of mistletoe was higher than other groups in changes of the 6‐minute gait speed ( P =0.048). In conclusion, mistletoe was proven to beneficial role in muscle strength and function in older adults, regardless of its dose. In further study, the elucidation of molecular pathway which is associated with regulation of muscle biogenesis is needed to perform in biopsy muscle. Support or Funding Information This work was supported by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning (Bio‐synergy Research Project NRF2012M3A9C4048761) and BK21PLUS through the National Research Foundation.