OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Renshen Yangrong decoction (RYD) in protecting morphology and structure of mitochondria in brain and liver of D-galactose induced subacute senile mice.

METHODSForty ICR mice were randomly divided into the youth control group, the model group, the high, middle and low-dose RYD groups. The ultra-structure changes of mitochondria were observed by electronic microscope, the specific surface area, body density, numerical density on area, deltammit area and ridge count of mitochondria were quantitatively analyzed with medical image analyzer.

RESULTSIn the model group, the numbers of mitochondria decreased, mitochondria swelled and significantly expanded, ridge was fragmented, malformed and dissolved even vanished. Those manifestations were coincided with the morphological changes of mitochondria in senile mice. In the different dose of RYD groups, the numbers of mitochondrion increased, mitochondrion tumid were significantly improved, senile degenerative changes of ridge and intima were obviously alleviated in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONRYD can anti-age by improving the changes of mitochondria structure of liver and brain accompanied with ageing.