OBJECTIVETo study the effect of water extracts of Wolfberry fruit (WB) and Epimedium (EM) on DNA synthesis of the aging-youth 2BS fusion cells.

METHODSHuman embryonic lung diploid fibroblasts 2BS national standard strain, were used as an aging model. Cell denucleation and cell fusion techniques were applied to observe the effect of WB and EM on DNA synthesis of 2BS fusion cells.

RESULTSIn the 0.025 (V/V) WB or EM water extract containing media, 2BS cells could be continuously cultured for 61.0 +/- 2.9 passages and 56.0 +/- 2.6 passages respectively, while in the control group it was only 49.0 +/- 2.6 passages (P < 0.01). After treatment with WB and EM separately for 2 hrs, the aging 2BS cells were denucleated and fused with young 2BS cells. The [3H]TdR incorporation percentage in these treated cells was significantly higher than that in the untreated control cells (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBoth WB and EM can accelerate the DNA synthesis rate of the aging youth 2BS fusion cells and prolong the life span of 2BS cells.