Platycodon grandiflorum contains triterpenoid saponins, such as platycodin D and platyconic acid A, and acts as a multifold nutritious compound. Our previous research demonstrated that Platycodon grandiflorum-derived saponin (PS) improves high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and inhibits osteoclast differentiation. The pivotal effects of PS on inflammatory mechanism were suppressed NF-κB and matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). However, the effects of PS on skeletal muscle damage remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether PS protects against eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. A significant reduction in eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage area and muscle damage related to the level of NF-κB p65 by PS was associated with the downregulation of ERK/p38/SMAD signaling. Eccentric exercise caused muscle damage by increasing the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine kinase (CK) and C-related protein level. The serum LDH, CK and C-related protein level was significantly lower in the PS supplementation group compared with the control group. Moreover, PS was inhibited MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9. PS protects against eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage. Together, these results provide a novel perspective on the biological function of PS against muscle damage.

桔梗含有三萜类皂苷，例如桔梗D和桔梗酸A，并起着多重营养化合物的作用。我们以前的研究表明桔梗衍生的皂苷（PS）可改善高脂饮食诱导的非酒精性脂肪性肝炎并抑制破骨细胞的分化。PS对炎症机制的关键作用是抑制NF-κB和基质金属蛋白酶（MMPs）。但是，PS对骨骼肌损伤的作用仍然未知。因此，我们调查了PS是否能防止偏心运动引起的肌肉损伤。PS引起的离心运动引起的肌肉损伤面积的显着减少以及与NF-κBp65水平相关的肌肉损伤与ERK / p38 / SMAD信号的下调有关。离心运动通过增加血清乳酸脱氢酶（LDH），肌酐激酶（CK）和C相关蛋白水平来引起肌肉损伤。血清LDH，PS补充组的CK和C相关蛋白水平明显低于对照组。而且，PS被抑制了MMP-1，MMP-2和MMP-9。PS可防止偏心运动引起的肌肉损伤。总之，这些结果为PS对抗肌肉损伤的生物学功能提供了新颖的视角。