[Effects of purslane herb on stress ability of aging mice induced by D-galactose].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of purslane herb aquenous extracts (PHAS) on the stress ability of aging mice induced by D-galactose. METHODS We observed the survival time to hypoxia and heat survival rate of the mice treated with different doses of PHAS and vitamin E. The contents of lipofuscin and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the brain and liver of the mice were tested. RESULTS As compared with vitamin E, three doses of PHAS (1.6, 0.8 and 0.4 ml/d) prolonged the survival time to hypoxia and the pole climbing time and increased the heat survival rate, and the 0.8 ml/d PHAS had the best effect. In the group of 0.8 ml/d PHAS, the activity of SOD and CAT decreased less, and the contents of lipofuscin and MDA decreased significantly. The effect of vitamin E was not as good as the PHAS. CONCLUSION PHAS can prevent the stress ability of the aging mice. One of its mechanisms may be increasing the activity of SOD and CAT, hence decreasing the damage of the oxidation products to the body.