Objective: To study the antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo and anti-aging activity of polysaccharide from Houttuynia cordata, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Melia azedarach and Stellera chamaejasme.

Method: Water extraction and alcohol precipitation were used to extract polysaccharides from medicinal plants, and the antioxidant activity in vitro of polysaccharides was evaluated using ABTS method; Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model, the antioxidant stress activity of polysaccharide was explored, and the oxidative stress level and antioxidant enzyme activity in vivo of the nematode were detected with the kit; The anti-aging activity of polysaccharide was studied by life test of nematode and determination of lipofuscin in vivo.

Result: The order of antioxidant activity in vitro and oxidative stress resistance in vivo of 4 medicinal plant polysaccharides at a concentration of 1 mg/mL was Houttuynia cordata polysaccharide (HCP)>Eleuthococcus senticosus polysaccharide (ESP)>Melia azedarach polysaccharide (MAP)>Stellera chamaejasme polysaccharide (SCP). This is related to its ability to reduce the levels of ROS and MDA in low nematodes under H₂O₂ stress, as well as to increase the enzyme activity of SOD in nematodes, but it is not closely related to the enzyme activity of CAT. The polysaccharides of the 4 medicinal plants also had no significant effect on the longevity of nematodes and the accumulation level of lipofuscin.

Conclusion: Although HCP, ESP, MAP, and SCP have good antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo, they do not have significant anti-aging activity.