Objective:To investigate the anti-aging effect of Inula britannica flower total flavonoids(IBFTF)on mice in D-galactose induced aging model. Methods:Kunming mice were randomly divided into 6 groups(10 mice in each group):control group

model group

vitamin E(VE) group

low

medium and high dose of IBFTF group. Mice in control group were subcutaneously injected with 0.3 m L saline

while those in other groups were injected with the same volume of D-galactose(500 mg/kg)

once daily for 8 weeks. From the third week

mice in low

mediumand high dose group were orally administered with 0.5 m L 100

200

400 mg/kg IBFTF;those in VE group received 100 mg/kg vitamin E via intragastric administration;those in control group and model group were orally administered equal volume of saline once a day for 6 weeks. Body weight

thymus index and spleen index were detected

and antioxidant enzymes activities in serum such as superoxide dismutase(SOD)

malondialdehyde(MDA)

catalase(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) were also measured. Senescence-associated beta- galactosidase( SA- β- gal) activity in hippocampus was determined using a SA- β- gal staining kit. Results:The body weight of mice in low

medium and high dose IBFTF groups were significantly higher than that in the model group

with statistically significant difference(P=0.053

P=0.001

P=0.000). The thymus indexes and spleen indexes of mice in low

medium and high dose IBFTF groups were significantly higher than those in model group(P=0.000). The activity of GSH-Px

CAT and SOD in the serum of low

medium and high dose IBFTF groups was significantly higher than that in the model group

while the MDA content was lower than that in the model group(P=0.000);β-galactosidase positive rate in hippocampus of low

medium and high dose IBFTF groups was significantly lower than that in model group

with statistically significant differences(P=0.001

P=0.000

P=0.000). Conclusion:The IBFTF is a potent natural antioxidant

which can delay the body aging induced by D-galactose.