Alpinia oxyphylla Miq extract ameliorates cardiac fibrosis associated with D-galactose induced aging in rats. 
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathophysiological process observed during chronic and stress-induced acceleration of cardiac aging.  Fibrosis is a necessary process during wound healing and tissue repair.  However, its deposition in organs would proceed to scarring and organ damage.  Here Alpinate Oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF), a Chinese medicine extract was used to protect aging heart from collagen accumulation.  About 8 weeks old, male SD rats were randomly divided into (i) Control, (ii) D-galactose induced aging (IA), (iii) IA + AOF 50 (AOF low, AL), (iv) IA + AOF 100 (AOF medium, AM), (v) IA + AOF 150 (AOF high, AH) mg/kg/day, AOF was administered orally.  After 8 weeks rats were sacrificed and hearts were collected.  Results showed collagen deposition and up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases-MMP-2 and -9 in D-galactose-induced aging rats.  Furthermore, western blotting and immunostaining were also confirmed the upregulation of TGF-β1 mediated fibrosis in aging induced rats.  However, collagen deposition and fibrosis were significantly decreased by AOF treatments (AM and AH).  AOF treatments salvaged the cardiac fibrosis.  Hence, AOF might be a potential therapeutic agent in the prevention of cardiac fibrosis associated with aging.  The protective effects of AOF might have promising results in anti-aging treatments.