Effect of total saponins of Asparagus racemosus on expression of P16 gene in the heart of aging rats

Abstract:

Objective：To investigate the effect of total saponins of Asparagus on the expression of P16 gene in the heart of aging rats，and to discuss its mechanism. Methods：Rats were injected with D-galactose daily for the construction of aging rat models，then rats in model group were orally administered with total saponins of Asparagus. The contents of superoxide dismutase（SOD） and malondialdehyde（MDA） in the serum and the heart were measured by hydroxylamine and chromatometric methods. The morphological changes of the heart was observed by microscope. The expression of P16 mRNA in the heart was detected by Real-time PCR. Results：Com－pared with those in model group，the activity of SOD was significantly higher and the content of MDA was significantly lower in the serum and the heart in treatment group（P<0.05）；the heart had obvious pathological injury；the expression of P16 mRNA in the heart of treatment group was decreased significantly（P<0.05）. Conclusion：Total saponins of Asparagus can improve the heart’s function among aging rats，which may associate with the increase of SOD content and decrease of P16 expression.