Sarcopenia, a condition characterized by progressive muscle loss, poses significant health risks, particularly in elderly individuals, diabetics, and patients with chronic illnesses. Its association with increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and metabolic disorders makes effective management crucial.

Emerging therapies targeting muscle preservation and regeneration have gained attention, including novel bioactive molecules such as exerkines(like interleukin 6, TNF-α, interleukin 15, fibroblast growth factor 21, irisin, apelin,etc), myostatin inhibitors, and selective androgen receptor modulators, which enhance muscle mass while minimizing side effects. Hormonal interventions(like Testosterone supplementation), branched-chain amino acids, and exercise mimetics, also called exercise pills(GW1516 (PPARβ/δ agonist) and AICAR (AMPK agonist)) have also shown promise. Natural compounds like ursolic acid, Tomatidine, urolithin A, curcumin, Vitamin D& Green Tea Catechins demonstrate potential in muscle preservation, though further clinical validation is needed. Stem cell therapies and tissue-engineered scaffolds are also being explored to enhance muscle repair and regeneration. Additionally, drug delivery advancements, including nanocarriers and exosome-based systems, offer targeted therapeutic benefits.  Lastly, given sarcopenia’s impact on metabolism, evaluating metformin, BIO101, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors in clinical settings could redefine treatment strategies.

Source: Najm A, et al. Emerging Therapeutic Strategies in Sarcopenia: An Updated Review on Pathogenesis and Treatment Advances. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2024;25(8):4300. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084300