Dietary Supplementation of Red Ginseng, Chinese Lizard's Tail, and Korean Raspberry Extracts Alleviate Oxidative Stresses in Aged Rats

Abstract

To investigate antioxidant efficacy of medicinal plants known to possess anti-aging properties, the herb preparations were fed to 10-month-old rats. The herb preparations included ethanol extracts of red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer), Chinese lizard's tail (Saururus chinensis Hort.ex Loud), and Korean raspberry (fruits of Rubus coreanus Miguel). Plasma protein carbonyls, malondialdehyde, 8-iso-prostaglandinF2 alpha, lymphocyte DNA damage, alpha-tocopherol concentration, and ferric reducing ability were measured as oxidative stress markers. The aged rats showed higher levels of malondialdehyde, 8-iso-prostaglandinF2 alpha, and protein carbonyl and lower level of alpha-tocopherol compared to young rats. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were decreased in the aged rats fed diets supplemented with any of the herbal preparations. 8-iso-prostaglandinF2 alpha was lower in rats fed the 0.5 or 1.0% Chinese lizard's tail- or 1% Korean raspberry extract-supplemented diet. The 1:1:1 mixture of herbal preparations decreased the level of 8-iso-prostaglandinF2 alpha. Rats fed 1.0% Chinese lizard's tail or Korean raspberry diets showed increased alpha-tocopherol level. These results indicated that the level of oxidative stress is increased in the aged animals and herbal preparations are effective in the alleviation of age-related oxidation.