Effect of total flavonoids from rhodiola on antioxidant and immune function of natural aging rats

Objective To observe the effect of total flavonoids from rhodiola on antioxidant and immune function of natural aging rats and to investigate the anti-aging effect of total flavonoids from rhodiola.Methods 40 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group(healthy young rats),natural aging model group,low does total flavonoids group and high does total flavonoids group.They were given total flavonoids from rhodiola or normal saline by stomach lavaging.Six weeks later,serum SOD,MDA,CSH-Px,IL-2 and IL-6 were determined;Thymus index and spleen index were measured;changes of lymphocyte stimulating transform index were also detected by MTT method.SPSS was used to analyze the data.Results Compared with control group,the contents of serum SOD,CSH-Px,IL-2,thymus index,spleen index and the proliferation capacity of model group decreased significantly while the contents of serum MDA and IL-6 increased obviously.Total flavonoids from rhodiola obviously increased the contents of serum SOD,CSH-Px and IL-2 and decreased the contents of serum MDA and IL-6.It could also increase thymus index,spleen index and the proliferation capacity of lymphocyte.Conclusion Total flavonoids from rhodiola improves the antioxidant and immune function of natural aging rats and it has the anti-aging effect.