Antioxidant activity of whole grain Qingke (Tibetan Hordeum vulgare L.) toward oxidative stress in d-galactose induced mouse model

The effects of two varieties of Qingke (WGCQ, Changhei Qingke and WGPQ, Purple Qingke) on the oxidative stress-related biochemical indexes of d-galactose-treated mice (DT-mice) were investigated. Results showed that vitamin E (positive control), WGCQ, and WGPQ reduced the fasting plasma glucose, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, plasma cortisol, and brain amyloid beta peptide (1-42) levels and increased the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, plasma dehydroepiandrosterone and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels, and brain gamma-aminobutyric acid contents of DT-mice. Histopathological analysis showed that the DT-mice-generated liver and brain lesions were mitigated after administration of vitamin E, WGCQ, and WGPQ. Polymerase chain reaction showed that vitamin E, WGCQ, and WGPQ improved the deletion rate of the brain mitochondrial DNA3867 of the DT-mice. Vitamin E, WGCQ, and WGPQ showed different enhancing effects for different indexes. Among these substances, WGCQ showed the best effects. These findings provide insights into the antioxidant potential of WGCQ and WGPQ.