DIFFERENCE OF ANTIOXIDATION FOR SCHISANDRINS AND SCHISANTHERIN BETWEEN BIO AND CHEMO-SYSTEMS

The difference in antioxidation and the mechanism of action of schisan drins and schisantherin in biological and chemical systems was investi gated, The antioxidative activities of schisandrin A (SA), schisandrin B (SB) and schisantherin D (SD) isolated from Schisandra chinensis Ba ill were studied on haemolysis of mouse erythrocytes and on autooxidat ion of linoleic acid induced bo a water-soluble free radical initiator , 2,2'-azobis(2-amidino-propane)dihydrochloride. It was found that SA, SB and SD inhibited haemolysis of erythrocytes but did not inhibit pe roxidation of linoleic acid in micelles, Chlorhexidine, an inhibitor o f demethylase, significantly inhibited the antioxidative activities of SA, SE and SE on haemolysis, The results indicated that the methoxy g roups in SA, SE and SD mag be demethylated by demethylase contained in erythrocytes and metabolized to produce phenolic hydroxyl groups whic h inhibit the peroxidation of erythrocyte membranes. (C) 1997 John Wil ey & Sons, Ltd.