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Aging is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. The activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is involved in inflammation and cognition, but the specific role it plays in aging remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anti-aging effect of the activation of α7nAChR on aging rats and BV2 cells induced by D-galactose, as well as its potential mechanism. D-galactose induced an increase in the SA-β-Gal positive cells, expression of p16 and p21 in vivo and in vitro. α7nAChR selective agonist PNU282987 decreased levels of pro-inflammatory factors, MDA, and Aβ, enhanced SOD activity and levels of anti-inflammatory factor (IL10) in vivo. PNU282987 enhanced the expression of Arg1, decreased the expression of iNOS, IL1β and TNFα in vitro. PNU282987 upregulated the levels of α7nAChR, Nrf2 and HO-1 in vivo and in vitro. The results of Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests showed that PNU282987 improved cognitive impairment in aging rats. Furthermore, α7nAChR selective inhibitor methyllycaconitine (MLA) results were opposite with PNU282987. PNU282987 improves cognitive impairment through inhibiting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in D-galactose induced aging via regulating the α7nAChR/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Therefore, targeting the α7nAChR may be a viable therapeutic approach for anti-inflammaging and neurodegenerative diseases. • D-galactose induces microglial senescence and brain aging. • α7nAChR is downregulated in brain aging and senescent BV2 cells. • The activation of α7nAChR by PNU282987 inhibits oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in vivo and in vitro. • PNU282987 inhibits oxidative stress and neuroinflammation by upregulating the α7nAChR /Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating cognitive impairment caused by aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]