In one aspect, the invention relates to methods for treating muscle atrophy by providing to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound. The compound can modulate the expression levels of multiple mRNA of a muscle atrophy signature. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. The disclosed compounds can treat muscle atrophy when administered in an effective amount to an animal, such as a mammal, fish or bird. For example, human. Also disclosed in a method of lowering blood glucose in an animal by administering ursolic acid or ursolic acid analogs, such as betulininc acid analogs, and narigenin analogs, such as naringenin, in an effective amount to an animal. Also disclosed in a method of lowering blood glucose in an animal by administering ungerine/hippeastrine analogs, such as hippeastrine, in an effective amount to an animal. The disclosed compounds can also promote muscle health, promote normal muscle function, and/or promote healthy aging muscles by providing to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a disclosed compound.