Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Alters the Skeletal Muscle Proteome and Upregulates Proteins and Pathways Involved in Training Adaptation

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Shatavari is an understudied but widely available herbal supplement. It contains steroidal saponins and phytoestrogenic compounds. We previously showed that 6 weeks of shatavari supplementation improved handgrip strength and increased markers of myosin contractile function. Mechanistic insights into shatavari’s actions are limited. Therefore, we performed global proteomics on vastus lateralis (VL) samples that remained from our original study. Methods In a randomised double-blind trial, women (68.5 ± 6 years) ingested either placebo or shatavari (equivalent to 26,500 mg/d fresh weight) for 6 weeks. Tandem mass tag global proteomic analysis of VL samples was conducted (participants - N = 7 shatavari, N = 5 placebo). Data were normalised to total peptides and scaled using a reference sample across experiments. Data were filtered using a 5% FDR. Log2 transformed fold change (week 6 vs baseline) was calculated and Welch’s t-test performed. Over-representation (ORA) and pathway enrichment analyses (PADOG) were conducted in Reactome (v79). Results 76 VL proteins were differentially expressed between placebo and shatavari. ORA demonstrated that proteins in pathways related to metabolism of proteins, amino acids and RNA were downregulated by shatavari. Proteins related to the pentose phosphate pathway were upregulated. PADOG showed that proteins in pathways related to integrin/MAPK signalling, cell growth, metabolism, apoptosis, elastic fibre formation, the neuronal system and chemical synapse transmission were significantly upregulated. Conclusion Our analyses indicate that shatavari may support muscle adaptation responses to exercise. These data provide useful signposts for future investigation of shatavari’s utility in conserving and enhancing musculoskeletal function. Trial registration NCT05025917 30/08/21, retrospectively registered.