Aging reduces skeletal muscle mass and strength, but the underlying molecular
mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we used mouse models to investigate molecular
mechanisms of age-related skeletal muscle weakness and atrophy as well as new potential
interventions for these conditions. We identified two small molecules that significantly reduce
age-related deficits in skeletal muscle strength, quality, and mass: ursolic acid (a pentacyclic
triterpenoid found in apples) and tomatidine (a steroidal alkaloid derived from green …