Abstract
Schizandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (SC) is useful for the regulation of various pathological conditions in Northeast Asia and is known to possess antioxidant activity. Here, triterpenoid of SC (TSC) was isolated from ethanol-water extracts of SC by using an octadecylsilyl column and shown to be one of the major active constituents of SC. The hepatoprotective effects of TSC in a mouse model of acute alcohol-induced liver injury (AALI) were evaluated based on serum biochemical indicators and antioxidative capacity. Severe liver damage caused by alcohol intake with increasing activation of hepatic markers was decreased in the group of mice fed TSC, and the results were confirmed through hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum biochemical indicators and antioxidative capacity were decreased by alcohol but recovered by TSC. Furthermore, TSC increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes and reduced inflammatory reactions. The experimental results indicate that TSC has preventive and therapeutic effects against AALI.
