Induction of hepatic microsomal monooxygenases by schisanhenol in rats

Schisanhenol isolated from the kernels of Schisandra rubriflora Rhed et Wils increased the hepatic microsomal P-450, NAD-PH-cytochrome c reductase, aminopyrine demethylase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activities and microsomal protein content in rats. Schisanhenol also stimulated proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum of liver cells. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of liver microsomal protein for shisanhenol-treated rats showed that the same major protein staining band intensified as in the case of Phenobarbital-induced rats.Metyrapone, a diagnostic inhibitor of cytochrome P-450, markedly inhibited the activity of aminopyrine demethylase of microsomes from schisanhenol-treated rats. Schisanhenol decreased the elevated SGPT levels in CCl4-intoxicated mice,and inhibited the CCl4-initiated liver microsomal lipid peroxidation and CO formation from CCl4 in vitro. These results indicate that schisanhenol has Phenobarbital-like inducing effect on microsomal cytochrome P-450 and protective action against CCl4 hepatoxicity in rats.