Objective: To study the anti-aging effect and mechanism of Qing'e prescription (QEP) extract on aging mice induced by D-galactose. Method: Seventy-two KM male mice were equally divided into six groups randomly:control group

model group

vitamin E group

and low-(0.4 g · kg-1)

middle-(0.8 g · kg-1)

and high-(1.6 g · kg-1) doses of QEP extract groups. To establish the subacute aging model

all the groups except control were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose at the back of cervical region daily. The control group and model group were intragastrically administered with 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution. The vitamin E group

low-

middle-

and high-doses of QEP extract groups received consecutive Vitamin E and low-

middle-

and high-doses of QEP extract prepared in sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution

respectively

for six weeks. After the treatment

the anti-aging and anti-fatigue effects were evaluated by conducting the rotarod test

and measuring the contents of glutathione(GSH)

malondialdehyde (MDA)

total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC)

nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in liver

urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)in serum together with other biochemical indexes. Moreover

the expression of Manganese superoxide dismutase(MnSOD) and Peroxidase-3(Prdx-3)mRNA in hippocampus was analyzed by qPCR to evaluate the antioxidant level. Result: Rotarod test showed that model group mice was easier to fall from the rotarod (P< 0.01) in comparison with the control group. Compared with the model group

all the doses of QEP extract could significantly prolong the residence time of mice on the rod (P <0.05

P <0.01). Biochemical tests showed that serum levels of BUN

MDA

NO

NOS in model group were increased remarkably when compared with that in the control group (P <0.05). By contrast

serum LDH level was reduced (P <0.05). After treated with QEP extract

all the aforementioned indexes were improved (P <0.05

P <0.01). In liver tissues

D-galactose significantly decreased GSH and T-AOC levels (P <0.01) while elevated MDA

NO

and NOS levels (P <0.05

P <0.01) in model group mice.QEP extract could reverse those parameters markedly (P <0.05

P <0.01). Real-time quantitative PCR results displayed that the hippocampal MnSOD mRNA expression level of model group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05). After treatment of QEP extract

both of the expressions of MnSOD and Prdx-3 mRNA were up-regulated (P <0.05

P <0.01). Conclusion: QEP extract demonstrated significant anti-aging and anti-fatigue effect by enhancement of antioxidant capacity

suggesting its possible application as a substitute for QEP.