Sarcopenia is a progressive, systemic skeletal muscle disorder associated with aging. With the increase in the global aging population, sarcopenia has become a significant health issue for the elderly. Studies have shown that natural bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, play an important role in alleviating the progression of sarcopenia by regulating protein homeostasis, improving mitochondrial function, inhibiting inflammation, and mitigating neuromuscular junction (NMJ) degeneration. However, due to the diversity of natural bioactive compounds and the complexity of their molecular mechanisms, their application still faces some challenges. Therefore, this article systematically reviews the literature on the pathogenesis of sarcopenia, the mechanism of action of natural bioactive compounds in alleviating sarcopenia, and their application for preventing this disease, aiming to provide scientific references for the development and application of natural bioactive compounds in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia.