Study on the anti-aging effect of echinacoside

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of anti-aging effect of echinacoside (ECH). METHODS: Mice were given 10% D-galactose 10 mL·kg -1 se, once daily for 8 weeks to establish subacute aging mice model. Vitamin E group and ECH groups were given Vitamin E 40 mg·kg -1 ig and ECH 20,40, and 60 mg·kg -1 ig, respectively. The anti-stress ability, contents of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood, and contents of SOD, MDA and NO in brain tissue were investigated. RESULTS: The anti-stress ability, contents of IL-2, NO and SOD in serum and brain tissue were obviously decreased in the aging model group compared with those in the normal control group. The contents of IL-6 and MDA in brain tissue were significantly increased. CONCLUSION: ECH can enhance immune function and reduce the content of NO in brain tissue, thus relieving oxidative damage of D-galactose on aging rats. This may be one of its mechanisms of anti-aging.