OBJECTIVETo investigate anti-aging effect and mechanism of Cordyceps extract(CSE) on aged mice induced by D-galactose.

METHODThe aged mice were induced by D-galactose. Meanwhile, they were treated with three doses of CSE. Then the ability of learning and memory, the activity of antioxidase in the different tissue, the contents of MDA of brain and liver were measured after 6 weeks.

RESULTCSE could significantly increase the ability of learning and memory, improve the activity of SOD of red blood cells, brain and liver, the activity of Na(+) -K(+) -ATPE of brain, the activity of CAT and GSH-Px of blood, and remarkably decrease the activity of MAO of brain and the contents of MDA of brain and liver.

CONCLUSIONCSE has good anti-aging effects on the aged mice, which is probably due to effects of improving antioxidation and removing free radicals.

Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Brain ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Galactose ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Lepidoptera ; chemistry ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Monoamine Oxidase ; metabolism ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism