Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a transcriptional coactivator that binds to a diverse range of transcription factors. PPARγ coactivator 1 (PGC-1) coactivators possess an extensive range of biological effects in different tissues, and play a key part in the regulation of the oxidative metabolism, consequently modulating the production of reactive oxygen species, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Owing to these findings, a large body of studies, aiming to establish the role of PGC-1 in the neuromuscular system, has shown that PGC-1 could be a promising target for therapies targeting neuromuscular diseases. Among these, some evidence has shown that various signaling pathways linked to PGC-1α are deregulated in muscular dystrophy, leading to a reduced capacity for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the light of these results, any intervention aimed at activating PGC-1 could contribute towards ameliorating the progression of muscular dystrophies. PGC-1α is influenced by different patho-physiological/pharmacological stimuli. Natural products have been reported to display modulatory effects on PPARγ activation with fewer side effects in comparison to synthetic drugs. Taken together, this review summarizes the current knowledge on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, focusing on the potential effects of natural compounds, acting as regulators of PGC-1α.

过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ（PPAR γ）是转录辅激活结合不同范围的转录因子。PPAR γ共激活因子1（PGC-1）共活化剂具有广泛的不同组织中的生物效应的范围，并在氧化代谢的调节中起关键部分，因此调节生产活性氧，自噬和线粒体生物发生的。由于这些发现，旨在确定PGC-1在神经肌肉系统中的作用的大量研究表明，PGC-1可能成为针对神经肌肉疾病的疗法的有希望的靶标。其中，一些证据表明与PGC- 1α相关的各种信号通路在肌肉营养不良中被调节，导致线粒体氧化磷酸化能力降低，活性氧（ROS）产生增加。根据这些结果，任何旨在激活PGC-1的干预措施都可以改善肌肉营养不良的病情。PGC- 1α受不同的病理生理/药理刺激的影响。天然产物已报告上显示PPAR的调节作用γ活化的副作用相比，合成药物较少。综上所述，本综述总结了有关杜氏肌营养不良症的当前知识，重点是作为PGC- 1α调节剂的天然化合物的潜在作用。