Applied Sciences | Open Access | DOI: https://doi.org/10.37547/tajas/warm-12

PPARγ as a Therapeutic Target in Myositis: Current Perspectives on Repurposed Drugs and Phytochemicals

Akarshika Choubey , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow-226028, India
Anika Pandey , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow-226028, India
Enaya Tufail , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow-226028, India
Somali Sanyal , Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow-226028, India

Abstract

Myositis refers to a cluster of rare chronic autoimmune disorders defined by muscle inflammation and progressive weakness. Standard therapy such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants has considerable toxicity associated with them and is frequently ineffective in controlling the disease. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a ligand activated nuclear receptor, has been implicated in myositis as well for its function on the regulation of inflammation and metabolism. PPARγ activation inhibits inflammatory pathways including, in particular, NF-κB signaling and guides immune resolution. In this review, the mechanistic role of PPARγ in myositis is discussed and drug repurposing, a strategy to screen for well-known FDA-approved compounds with putative PPARγ-modulating activity, is considered. Moreover, the similarities between phytochemicals (in particular flavonoids) and small molecules render the former as natural ligands

Keywords

Myositis, PPARγ, Drug repurposing, Phytochemicals.

References

Ashburn, T. T., & Thor, K. B. (2004). Drug repositioning: Identifying and developing new uses for existing drugs. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 3(8), 673–683. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd1468

Aggarwal, R., & Oddis, C. V. (2011). Therapeutic advances in myositis. Current Opinion in Rheumatology, 23(6), 635–641.

Daina, A., Michielin, O., & Zoete, V. (2017). SwissADME: A free web tool to evaluate pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness and medicinal chemistry friendliness of small molecules. Scientific Reports, 7, 42717. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep42717

Dalakas, M. C. (2015). Inflammatory muscle diseases. The New England Journal of Medicine, 372(18), 1734–1747. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1402225

Evans, R. M., Barish, G. D., & Wang, Y.-X. (2004). PPARs and the complex journey to obesity. Nature Medicine, 10(4), 355–361. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1025

Leyva-López, N., Gutierrez-Grijalva, E., Ambriz-Pérez, D., & Heredia, J. (2016). Flavonoids as cytokine modulators: A possible therapy for inflammation-related diseases. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(6), 921. DOI: 10.3390/ijms17060921

Liu, Y., Wang, J., Luo, S., Zhan, Y., & Lu, Q. (2020). The roles of PPARγ and its agonists in autoimmune diseases: A comprehensive review. Journal of Autoimmunity, 113, 102510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaut.2020.102510

Mammen, A. L. (2010). Dermatomyositis and polymyositis: clinical presentation, autoantibodies, and pathogenesis. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1184(1), 134–153. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05119.x

Manickam, R., Duszka, K., & Wahli, W. (2020). PPARs and Microbiota in Skeletal Muscle Health and Wasting. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(21), 8056. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21218056

Mishra, A. S., Vasanthan, M., & Malliappan, S. P. (2024). Drug Repurposing: A Leading Strategy for New Threats and Targets. ACS pharmacology & translational science, 7(4), 915–932. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.3c00361

Needham, M., & Mastaglia, F. L. (2007). Inclusion body myositis: Current pathogenetic concepts and diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The Lancet Neurology, 6(7), 620–631. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(07)70171-0

Nissen, S. E., & Wolski, K. (2007). Effect of rosiglitazone on the risk of myocardial infarction and death from cardiovascular causes. The New England Journal of Medicine, 356(24), 2457–2471. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa072761

Nosengo, N. (2016). Can you teach old drugs new tricks? Nature, 534(7607), 314–316. https://doi.org/10.1038/534314a

Oddis, C. V., & Aggarwal, R. (2018). Update on the pharmacological treatment of adult myositis. Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 14(5), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2018.33

Pushpakom, S., et al. (2019). Drug repurposing: Progress, challenges and recommendations. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 18(1), 41–58. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd.2018.168

Raquel, M., João F., & Pedro M. (2025). Treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. Joint Bone Spine, 92(6), 105932. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbspin.2025.105932

Renato Mantegazza & Paolo Bernasconi. (2013). Inflammatory myopathies: Dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. In Madame Curie Bioscience Database [Internet]. Landes Bioscience. NCBI Bookshelf

Soccio, R. E., Chen, E. R., & Lazar, M. A. (2014). Thiazolidinediones and the promise of insulin sensitization in type 2 diabetes. Cell Metabolism, 20(4), 573–591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2014.08.005

Straus, D., & Glass, C. (2007). Anti-inflammatory actions of PPAR ligands: New insights on cellular and molecular mechanisms. Trends in Immunology, 28(12), 551–558. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.it.2007.09.003

Download and View Statistics

Views: 0   |   Downloads: 0

Copyright License

Download Citations

How to Cite

Choubey, A., Pandey, A., Tufail, E., & Sanyal, S. (2026). PPARγ as a Therapeutic Target in Myositis: Current Perspectives on Repurposed Drugs and Phytochemicals. The American Journal of Applied Sciences, 107–112. https://doi.org/10.37547/tajas/warm-12