Natural products and skeletal muscle health.

Skeletal muscle (SkM) is essential for body movement, energy metabolism, and material metabolism, and directly influences the quality of human life. Aging, chronic diseases, and strenuous exercise often lead to various health problems associated with SkM, including muscle atrophy, loss of muscle mass and strength, and metabolic disorders. Various natural products (NaPs), mainly resveratrol (RES), quercetin (QUE), ursolic acid (UA), ecdysone (ECD; mainly 20-OH ECD, 20-HE), and vitamin D, have been reported to protect or regulate SkM health. Some of the products are functionally equivalent to sex hormones, and some are even referred to as "plant exercise pills." However, controversy persists regarding the role of NaPs in SkM health. Therefore, this review objectively summarizes the in vivo and vitro biological activities, molecular mechanisms, and clinical research results of studies on NaPs applied in the regulation of SkM health over the past decade. The present review could advance further research on NaPs and SkM health, and facilitate the revelation of new evidence that could facilitate the application of NaPs in ensuring SkM health.