Cisplatin-Induced Muscle Wasting and Atrophy: Molecular Mechanism and Potential Therapeutic Interventions

Platinum-based chemotherapeutics, particularly cisplatin, are crucial in the treatment of various malignancies due to their strong antitumor effects. However, a significant side effect of cisplatin is muscle atrophy, which severely impairs physical strength, diminishes quality of life and complicates cancer therapy. Cisplatin-induced muscle wasting arises from a complex interplay of enhanced proteolysis, reduced muscle protein synthesis and systemic inflammation. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy is vital for identifying new therapeutic targets. This review systematically explores molecular-based therapies and plant-derived natural compounds, providing a comprehensive overview of their efficacy in vivo and in vitro for preventing cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy. Both molecular-based therapies and plant-derived natural compounds present promising strategies for mitigating cisplatin-induced muscle atrophy. Ghrelin, growth hormone secretagogues and testosterone stimulate anabolic pathways and reduce muscle degradation, whereas natural compounds like capsaicin and naringenin exert protective effects by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of muscle atrophy, combined with optimized therapeutic applications, may facilitate the clinical translation of these interventions to improve outcomes for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.