The antioxidative effect of ganhuangenin against lipid peroxidation

The antioxidative effect of ganhuangenin (GHG), isolated from Scutellaria b aicalensis Georgi, was examined by measuring its ability to suppress the fo rmation of phospatidylcholine hydroperoxide (PCOOH). The results show that a pretreatment with GHG effectively suppressed PCOOH formation, which was i nitiated by the peroxyl-generating oxidant, AAPH (2,2'-azobis-2-aminopropan e hydrochloride). The protective action of GHG against the formation of the PCOOH was observed in liver, lung, and kidney. When compared with other kn own antioxidants, we found the antioxidative potency of GHG to be greater t han that of alpha-tocopherol. Our data strongly indicate that GHG is a powe rful antioxidant against lipid peroxidation and is, therefore, responsible for this prophylactic effect.