Aging is a progressive biological process characterized by metabolic and physiological alterations, as well as by an increase in oxidative stress associated with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a reduction in endogenous antioxidant capacity. This imbalance promotes damage in highly vulnerable tissues such as the brain, particularly in regions involved in memory and learning, including the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex, thereby contributing to the development of mild cognitive impairments characteristic of normal aging. In this context, flavonoids stand out as naturally occurring compounds with the potential to modulate the mitochondrial redox state. In the present study, the effect of the ethanolic extract of Bauhinia variegata was evaluated in young (6–9 months) and aged (18–24 months) rats, administered orally at doses of 100 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, with the aim of analyzing its impact on mitochondrial redox status and its possible relationship with anxiety-like behavior, memory, and learning. Anxiety-like behavior was assessed using the open field and elevated plus maze tests, with no significant changes observed at either dose. Similarly, performance in the Morris water maze did not reveal differences in spatial memory between treated groups and their respective controls. No alterations in body weight or glucose metabolism were detected. At the biochemical level, the analysis of mitochondria isolated from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex revealed modulations in the activity of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes, displaying patterns dependent on age, brain region, and administered dose. At a dose of 100 mg/kg, an increase in complex I activity was observed in the hippocampus of young rats, along with a decrease in the prefrontal cortex of aged rats, as well as an increase in complex IV activity in this latter region. In addition, a reduction in ROS levels was detected in the hippocampus of aged rats, whereas an increase was observed in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of young rats.
El envejecimiento es un proceso biológico progresivo caracterizado por alteraciones metabólicas y fisiológicas, así como por un incremento del estrés oxidante asociado a la acumulación de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ERO) y a la disminución de la capacidad antioxidante endógena. Este desequilibrio favorece el daño en tejidos altamente vulnerables, como el cerebro, particularmente en regiones involucradas en la memoria y el aprendizaje, como el hipocampo y la corteza prefrontal, lo que contribuye al desarrollo de alteraciones cognitivas leves propias del envejecimiento normal. En este contexto, los flavonoides destacan como compuestos de origen natural con potencial para modular el estado redox mitocondrial. En el presente estudio se evaluó el efecto del extracto etanólico de Bauhinia variegata en ratas jóvenes (6–9 meses) y viejas (18–24 meses), administrado por vía oral a dosis de 100 mg/kg y 400 mg/kg, con el objetivo de analizar su impacto sobre el estado redox mitocondrial y su posible relación con la conducta tipo ansiosa, la memoria y el aprendizaje. La conducta tipo ansiosa se evaluó mediante las pruebas de campo abierto y laberinto elevado en cruz, sin observarse diferencias significativas a ninguna de las dosis empleadas. De igual forma, el desempeño en el laberinto acuático de Morris no mostró diferencias en la memoria espacial entre los grupos tratados y sus respectivos controles. No se detectaron alteraciones en el peso corporal o en el metabolismo de la glucosa. A nivel bioquímico, el análisis de mitocondrias aisladas de hipocampo y corteza prefrontal mostró modulaciones en la actividad de los complejos de la cadena de transporte de electrones (CTE) con patrones dependientes de la edad, la región cerebral y la dosis administrada.
