Gamma-oryzanol as a potential intervention in obesity and skeletal muscle disorders: a preclinical review from rodent studies

Excessive consumption of the Western diet leads to obesity and skeletal muscle disorders. Natural bioactive substances found in natura or minimally processed foods contribute to the regulation of important biological processes across different organs and tissues and have been highlighted as potential agents in the management of these disorders. Gamma-oryzanol (γOz) is a non-phenolic steryl ferulate considered one of the most potent natural antioxidants, presenting anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and anticancer properties, suggesting a promising strategy for the management of chronic diseases. The aim of this work is to review the application of γOz as a strategy to combat obesity and skeletal muscle disorders. The review focused on preclinical, peer-reviewed journal articles, particularly those involving animal models of obesity. References were selected according to their relevance to the topics discussed, without applying any date limitations. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, and Lens.org databases, employing the following terms: “obesity,” “adipose tissue,” “obesity target organs,” “skeletal muscle,” “bioactive compounds,” and “gamma-oryzanol.” The evidence reviewed demonstrates that γOz is a potential form of prevention and treatment for obesity-induced dysfunctions across different organs and tissues in preclinical models. Specifically, in skeletal muscle, γOz was able to mitigate the redox-inflammatory imbalance, improve the antioxidant system, increase the expression of GLUT-4, and promote improved muscular energy regulation, possibly due to AMPK activation. Nevertheless, the literature reveals a gap in knowledge regarding the effect of this phytosterol on skeletal muscle dysfunction in diet-induced obesity models. Therefore, pioneering investigations are needed in this largely unexplored field.