Use of Cistanche tubulosa extract, isoacteoside and/or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt of isoacteoside in the manufacture of a medicament or a food product for protecting muscles, wherein the medicament is particularly used for protecting muscle cells against injury to regulate, treat and/or delay muscle loss, and especially for the muscle loss caused by aging, diseases, and/or cochexia. The food product is a health food, a nutritional supplement food, or a special nutrition food.