PREVENTIVE EFFECTS OF A TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (SHO-SAIKO-TO) AGAINST OXYGEN-TOXICITY AND MEMBRANE DAMAGE DURING ENDOTOXEMIA

The preventive effects of a traditional Chinese medicine Sho-saiko-to (Kampo prescription, TJ-9) were determined from oxygen toxicity and me mbrane damage in liver during endotoxemia. The liver lipid peroxide le vel and xanthine oxidase activity 18 h after administration of endotox in (6 mg/kg, i.p.) to TJ-9 (500 mg/kg/d, p.o.)-pretreated mice were ma rkedly lower than that in endotoxin-treated mice, whereas the administ ration of TJ-9 significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutat hione peroxide activities in liver of endotoxin-injected mice. In the mice pretreated with a TJ-9, the levels of alpha-tocopherol and nonpro tein SH in liver tissue 18 h after endotoxin injection were markedly i ncreased as compared to those in endotoxin-treated mice. Leakages of a cid phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase isozyme in serum were marked ly lower in endotoxin-TJ-9-treated mice than those in mice given endot oxin. The administration of TJ-9 clearly prevented the membrane protei n damage arising from endotoxin challenge. Kampo prescription Sho-saik o-to thus appears to protect the liver plasma membrane from injury by free radicals which occur in a tissue ischemic state during endotoxemi a.