Pharmacological investigation of ‘HIM-CHX’: A herbal combination in the experimental muscle wasting condition

Abstract Muscle wasting diseases are gradually increasing with the increase in global life expectancy. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of HIM-CHX, a herbal combination of Boswellia serrata , Cissus quadrangularis , and Withania somnifera , on Sarcopenia. The effects of HIM-CHX on parameters such as muscle mass, grip strength, motor coordination, gait, locomotor activity, endurance were measured in rats. In addition to this, inflammatory cytokines, myokine and growth hormone levels were also evaluated. In the first experiment, HIM-CHX was administered orally to rats at a dose of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg body weight for 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, muscle mass, grip strength, motor coordination and proinflammatory cytokines were evaluated. In the second experiment HIM-CHX was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks and evaluated for gait analysis, locomotor activity, endurance and endogenous antioxidant activity. The animals treated with HIM-CHX showed a significant improvement in gastrocnemius muscle weight, carcass weight, gait, locomotor activity and endurance. HIM-CHX exerts its effect by reducing the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and Myostatin while increasing the IGF-1 levels which are the typical biomarkers of muscle wasting. Furthermore, the study findings indicate that HIM-CHX has the potential to correct the pathophysiological changes associated with sarcopenia.