SCHISANDRA-CHINENSIS-DERIVED ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES IN SHENG-MAI SAN A COMPOUND FORMULATION, IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

Sheng Mai San (SMS), a compound formulation in traditional Chinese med icine comprising Panar ginseng, Schisandra chinensis and Ophiopogon ja ponicus, is used for the treatment of ischaemic heart disease. In the present study, we have demonstrated the presence of both in vivo and i n Ditto antioxidant activities in SMS, as indicated by its ability to protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and to scavenge su peroxide radicals generated in an in vitro system. Our results indicat e that the antioxidant activity of SMS is derived mainly from Schisand ra chinensis.