EFFECT OF ALPHA-HEDERIN AND SAPINDOSIDE-B ON HEPATIC-MICROSOMAL CYTOCHROME-P-450 IN MICE

To study the relation between the effect of alpha-hederin (Hed) and sa pindoside B (Sap B) on cytochrome P-450 and their hepatoprotection. ME THODS: Mice were given sc Hed, Sap B, as well as a mixture of Hed + Sa p B (1 : 1.5), and hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450 was examined. R ESULTS: Hed 20 mg . kg(-1), Sap B 20 mg . kg(-1) and Hed + Sap B 20 mg . kg(-1) sc, reduced hepatic P-450 content by 40%, 55% and 50%, respe ctively. The effect of the saponins on P-450 was reversible, as P-450 level returned to normal after 3 d. Phenobarbital (Phe) 50 mg . kg(-1) ip increased P-450 2.5-fold, the Phe-induced P-450 was inhibited 50% by Hed + Sap B. No inhibitory effect was seen when liver microsomes we re incubated with Hed + Sap B in vitro. CONCLUSION: The hepatoprotecti ve effects of Hed and Sap B were at least in part, due to its suppress ive effect on liver cytochrome P-450.