L. Modulates Superoxide Dismutase and Apoptosis-Regulating Proteins in Hippocampus of Middle-Aged Female Rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The aging process in women is still a problem, especially in developing countries that will become developed countries, including Indonesia. Here, we investigated the action of . extract administration on antioxidant modulation to inhibit hippocampal apoptosis in middle-aged female rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two female Wistar rats were divided into four groups ( = 8 each group): the middle-aged rats without any treatment (control group) and three . . extract groups (treated at doses of 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg b. w). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in the hippocampal region were analyzed using the technique of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The second and third doses of . . extract significantly increased the SOD hippocampal levels compared with the control ( < 0.05). This extract also decreased Bax expression (at the second and third doses) and significantly increased Bcl-2 expression (at the highest dose) than that of the control ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The ethanol extract of . . could modulate SOD and regulate apoptotic-related proteins in middle-aged female rats. Thus, the extract of . . can be an alternative to prevent the degeneration of hippocampus due to the aging process.