EFFECTS OF SCHISANDRIN-B AND ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL ON LIPID-PEROXIDATION, IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO

Effects of Schisandrin B (Sch B) and alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOC) on f erric chloride (Fe3+) induced oxidation of erythrocyte membrane lipids in vitro and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced lipid peroxidation i n vivo were examined. While alpha-TOC could produce prooxidant and ant ioxidant effect on Fe3+-induced lipid peroxidation, Sch B only inhibit ed the peroxidation reaction. Pretreatment with alpha-TOC (3 mmol/kg/d ay x 3) did not protect against CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation and he patocellular damage in mice, whereas Sch B pretreatment (0.3 mmol/3.0 mmol/kg/day x 3) produced a dose-dependent protective effect on the CC l4-induced hepatotoxicity. The ensemble of results suggests that the a bility of Sch B to inhibit lipid peroxidation, while in the absence of pro-oxidant activity, may at least in part contribute to its hepatopr otective action.