This study examined the effects of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (MS) extract on myogenic differentiation and myotube formation in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated in the presence of MS extract (50 μg/mL), and their effects on myotube formation and the expression of muscle differentiation-related proteins were investigated. The MS treatment significantly enhanced myotube formation and increased the expression of myogenic regulatory factors, including MyoD and Myogenin. Furthermore, the MS extract upregulated the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated 70-kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p-p70S6K), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1), indicating the activation of protein synthesis-related signaling pathways. In addition, the expression levels of Desmin and protein arginine methyltransferase 7 (PRMT7), which are involved in muscle differentiation and maturation, were increased significantly after the MS treatment. These results suggest that the MS extract promotes myogenic differentiation and myotube formation by regulating the myogenic factors and protein synthesis-associated signaling pathways in C2C12 cells. Therefore, the MS extract may serve as a promising functional food ingredient for supporting muscle health and muscle development.

Abstract
I. 서 론
II. 연구 내용 및 방법
    1. 재료
    2. Mentha suaveolens Ehrh (MS) 추출물 제조
    3. 세포배양 및 분화유도
    4. 세포 생존율 평가
    5. Myotube 형성 관찰
    6. Western blot을 통한 단백질 발현
    7. 통계분석
III. 결과 및 고찰
    1. MS추출물의 C2C12 세포 분화 및 Myotube 형성 촉진효과
    2. MS 추출물의 PI3K/p70S6K 신호전달 경로 조절 효과
    3. MS 추출물의 근육 분화 및 성숙 관련 단백질 발현 효과
IV. 요약 및 결론
감사의 글
Conflict of Interest
References
Graphic Abstract

• 최지원(한국식품연구원) | Jiwon Choi (Korea Food Research Institute)
• 허진영(한국과학기술연합대학원 대학교) | Jinyoung Hur (Korea Food Research Institute, University of Science and Technology (UST)) Corresponding author