Abstract: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from green tea extract has natural antioxidant activity,and its correlation with the animal aging process remains unclear.In this study,d-galactose-induced senescent mouse models were firstly established.EGCG treatment at a dosage of 1 mg/(kg·d) was performed for 5 weeks.Memory ability of mice,SOD activity in serum,and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity at hippocampus neurons were detected to estimate aging process. Furthermore,the gene expressions of NF-κB and IκB-α in brain tissue were analyzed through Western blotting after EGCG treatment.As a result,the d-galactoseinduced senescent mouse models were successfully established with lower memory ability.SOD activity in serum was decreased and NF-κB expression in brain tissue was up-regulated for senescent mouse.After EGCG treatment for senescent mice,SOD activity in serum was recovered,and expression of NF-κB was inhibited,while IκB-α expression had a up-regulated tendency.Our results demonstrated that EGCG can block the aging process,and the mechanism was possibly related to the inhibition of NF-κB expression.These results can provide a novel direction for studying on the function of EGCG against aging.

Key words: epigallocatechin-3-gallate, senescent mouse models, NF-&kappa, B, I&kappa, B-&alpha