Abstract

Hoda G. Hegazy

Oxidative stress is recognized as an important environmental factor in aging. The reactive oxygen species and related free radicals are normally produced both intra and extracellular and air-breathing organisms cannot avoid the risk of oxidative stress. Moreover, recent studies have advanced the notion of chronic inflammation as a major risk factor underlying aging and age-related diseases. In the present study, the evaluation of the protective effects of ginger and - lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on senile female rats is evaluated during inflammation. The results showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation but a significant reduction in the reduced glutathione level (GSH), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and cytochrome P450 (CytoP450) in hepatic aged female rats. In addition, this study revealed a significant increase in the inflammatory mediators interlukin-1(IL-1), interlukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- ) as well as the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-2). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in serum nitric oxide (NO) in aged female rats. Ginger and ALA were effective in minimizing agedrelated oxidative burden through decreasing lipid peroxidation, increasing GSH content and promoting antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the compounds under investigation reduced the levels of the pro- inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL6 and TNF- , in addition to inhibiting the activity of COX-2. The levels of serum NO was also increased by the treatments.