Michelia Champaca 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 Michelia champaca L. 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 (n = 8 each group): the middle-aged rats without any treatment (control group) and three M. champaca L. 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 M. champaca L. extract significantly increased the SOD hippocampal levels compared with the control (P < 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 (P < 0.05).

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