SCHISANDRA-CHINENSIS-DERIVED ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES IN SHENG-MAI SAN A COMPOUND FORMULATION, IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

Sheng Mai San (SMS), a compound formulation in traditional Chinese medicine comprising Panar ginseng, Schisandra chinensis and Ophiopogon japonicus, is used for the treatment of ischaemic heart disease. In the present study, we have demonstrated the presence of both in vivo and in Ditto antioxidant activities in SMS, as indicated by its ability to protect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and to scavenge superoxide radicals generated in an in vitro system. Our results indicate that the antioxidant activity of SMS is derived mainly from Schisandra chinensis.