Effect of rhodiola on lipidperoxides and ultrastructure of mitochondria in the brain of senile mice

Zhijun ZHANG; Wen JIANG; Qun WAN

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Senility is the degenerative change of every tissue and organ in biological body,which is the result due to comprehensive actions of various pathological and physiological processes. Rhodiola is a kind of natural medical plant,acting on delaying organic senility,preventing and treating senile disorders,etc. But the definite mechanisms on those have been unknown yet.

OBJECTIVE:

To probe into the mechanism of rhodiola extract( nuodikang capsule) on anti-senility.

DESIGN:

Randomized,controlled experimental research based on the experimental animals.

SETTING:

Neurological internal department in a military hospital affiliated to a university of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS The experiment was performed in Pathology Experiment Room of Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from March to August 2002. Sixty Kunming mice were randomized into normal control group,model group,3 dosage groups of 1,2,4 g/kg of nuodikang successively and Vitamin E(Vit. E) positive control group 0. 1 mg/kg,10 mice in each group.

INTERVENTIONS:

In the model,nuodikang groups and Vit. E positive control,physiological saline solution of D-galactose 30 g/Lwas applied in subcutaneous at the back of neck,150 mg/kg per day,continuously for 8weeks. Simultaneously,in nuodikang group and Vit. E positive control,the medicine was applied by gastric perfusion,once daily,continuously for 8weeks.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

Effects of nuodikang capsule on activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),the content of lipidperoxides(LPO),the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in the brain,the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ultrastructure of mitochondrion in hippocampal neurons.

RESULTS:

In nuodikang capsule groups of 1,2,4 g/kg,the significant differences(P ＜ 0.05) presented in LPO content in brain tissue[(30. 1±2.9),(27.8±3.1),(26.9±1.9) nmol/g] and MDA content [(110.2±13.5),(95.4±20.1),(90.2±16.5) nmol/g],1 compared with the model group[ (33.4 ± 2.2),(126.5 ± 17.2) nmol/g],indicating significant differences(P ＜ 0.05),and LDH activity[(1.74±0. 14),(1.92 ±0. 23),(2.04 ±0.21) NU/g] and SOD activity[ (119. 1 ±2.2),(121.3 ± 0.9),(126.4 ± 2.0) NU/g] were remarkably increased,compared with the model group[ (1.68 ±0. 19),(115.9 ±2. 1) NU/g],indicating significant differences( P ＜ 0.05) . It was indicated by electro-microscope that nuodikang capsule groups of 2,4 g/kg acted on obvious protection on degenerative change of mitochondrion in hippocampal neurons caused by galactose.

CONCLUSION:

Nuodikang capsule acts significantly on anti-senility,which is related to its anti-oxidative injury and protection on neurons.