Ginsenoside Rg1 enhances stem cell abundance in aging human skeletal muscle after resistance exercise

Ginsenoside Rg1 enhances senolytic effect of exercise in human skeletal muscle.

To determine the effects of Rg1 on stem cell enrichment and differentiation in skeletal muscle following resistance exercise in women over 60.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, 11 women (60-73 years) completed four sets of seated leg press (70% 1RM) 1 h after ingesting Placebo or Rg1 (10 mg). Muscle biopsies were assessed for activated mesenchymal stem cells (Stro-1⁺/Tom20^high), neural progenitors (Nestin⁺), and vascular progenitors (CD34⁺/CD31⁺) at 0 h and 24 h post-exercise.

While exercise alone did not alter Stro-1⁺ cells and mitochondrial content (TOM20⁺) in muscle tissues, the high mitochondrial Stro-1⁺ cells was decreased by 45% (p < 0.05). Rg1 supplementation doubled high mitochondrial Stro-1⁺ cells and total mitochondrial content post-exercise (p < 0.05). Concentration gradient between the Stro-1⁺ cells and engaged myofibers is consistent with a potential mitochondrial delivery mechanism from bone marrow stem cells. Exercise reduced CD34⁺ cells (-68%, p < 0.05) and Nestin⁺ neural progenitors (-50%, p < 0.05), whereas Rg1 attenuated CD34⁺ cell depletion and increased Nestin⁺ neural progenitors by twofold (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial progenitors (CD34⁺/CD31⁺) remained unchanged after exercise. Exercise decreased serum estradiol levels (-43%, p < 0.05), whereas Rg1 supplementation restored estradiol to pre-exercise levels and doubled progesterone concentrations.

Rg1 supplementation prevents exercise-induced sex steroid depletion and markedly enhances stem cell abundance in skeletal muscle, which contributes to mitochondrial gains following resistance exercise in women over 60.