Potent antimutagenic and their anti-lipid peroxidative effect of kaikasaponin III and tectorigenin from the flower of Pueraria thunbergiana

Tectorigenin: A Review of Its Sources, Pharmacology, Toxicity, and Pharmacokinetics

Tectorigenin is a well-known natural flavonoid aglycone and an active component that exists in numerous plants. Growing evidence suggests that tectorigenin has multiple pharmacological effects, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective. These pharmacological properties provide the basis for the treatment of many kinds of illnesses, including several types of cancer, diabetes, hepatic fibrosis, osteoarthritis, Alzheimer's disease, etc. The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive summary and review of the sources, extraction and synthesis, pharmacological effects, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and delivery strategy aspects of tectorigenin. Tectorigenin may exert certain cytotoxicity, which is related to the administration time and concentration. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that the main metabolic pathways in rats for tectorigenin are glucuronidation, sulfation, demethylation and methoxylation, but that it exhibits poor bioavailability. From our perspective, further research on tectorigenin should cover: exploring the pharmacological targets and mechanisms of action; finding an appropriate concentration to balance pharmacological effects and toxicity; attempting diversified delivery strategies to improve the bioavailability; and structural modification to obtain tectorigenin derivatives with higher pharmacological activity.

Oriental traditional herbal Medicine--Puerariae Flos: A systematic review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pueraria Flos (PF), a traditional herbal medicine, is botanically from the dried flowers of Pueraria lobate (Willd.) Ohwi. (Chinese: ) or Pueraria thomsonii Benth. (Chinese: ). It has a long history of thousands of years in China for awakening the spleen, clearing the lungs, relieving alcohol.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

This review aims to report the up-to-date research progress in ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology, metabolism and therapeutic application of PF, so as to provide a strong basis for future clinical treatment and scientific research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant information on PF was collected from scientific literature databases including PubMed, CNKI and other literature sources (Ph.D. and M.Sc. dissertations and Chinese herbal classic books) by using the keyword "Puerariae".

RESULTS

Briefly, phytochemical research report has isolated 39 flavonoids, 19 saponins and 25 volatile oils from PF. Flavonoids and saponins are the most important bioactive compounds, and most of the quality control studies focus on these two types of compounds. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed their significant biological activities in relieving alcoholism, hepatoprotective, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation, which provides theoretical support for the traditional use.

CONCLUSIONS

Comprehensive analysis showed that pharmacological activity of most purified compounds from PF had not been reported. Kakkalide, tectoridin and their deglycosylated metabolites (irisolidone and tectorigenin) has been focused on excessively due to their higher content and better activities. This leads to low development and resources waste. Interestingly, PF made a breakthrough in the field of food. Many kinds of fat-lowering foods such as PILLBOX Onaka have been popular in Japan market, which received extensive attention. Therefore, we suggest that future research can be paid attention on the development of the plant's function in the field of food and medicine, as well as the transformation from experimental to clinical.

Anti-Glucotoxicity Effect of Phytoconstituents via Inhibiting MGO-AGEs Formation and Breaking MGO-AGEs

The therapeutic benefits of phytochemicals in the treatment of various illnesses and disorders are well documented. They show significant promise for the discovery and creation of novel medications for treating a variety of human diseases. Numerous phytoconstituents have shown antibiotic, antioxidant, and wound-healing effects in the conventional system. Traditional medicines based on alkaloids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, terpenes, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, and phytosterols have been in use for a long time and are crucial as alternative treatments. These phytochemical elements are crucial for scavenging free radicals, capturing reactive carbonyl species, changing protein glycation sites, inactivating carbohydrate hydrolases, fighting pathological conditions, and accelerating the healing of wounds. In this review, 221 research papers have been reviewed. This research sought to provide an update on the types and methods of formation of methylglyoxal-advanced glycation end products (MGO-AGEs) and molecular pathways induced by AGEs during the progression of the chronic complications of diabetes and associated diseases as well as to discuss the role of phytoconstituents in MGO scavenging and AGEs breaking. The development and commercialization of functional foods using these natural compounds can provide potential health benefits.

Bioassay-Guided Characterization, Antioxidant, Anti-Melanogenic and Anti-Photoaging Activities of Pueraria thunbergiana L. Leaf Extracts in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes (HaCaT) Cells

Although the roots and flowers of P. thunbergiana are known to have various physiologically active effects, studies on the anti-melanin production and anti-photoaging effects of its leaf extracts and cellular mechanisms are still lacking. In this study, we evaluated the possibility of using Pueraria thunbergiana leaves as a natural material for skin whitening and anti-aging-related functional cosmetics. The 30% ethyl alcohol (EtOH) extract from P. thunbergiana leaves was fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), butanol, and aqueous solution to measure their whitening, and anti-aging effects. The EtOAc fraction contained a high content of phenolic and flavonoids and showed higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activities than the other fractions. It was also confirmed that the EtOAc fraction markedly inhibited α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-induced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. In addition, the EtOAc fraction showed a protective effect against ultraviolet B (UVB) in HaCaT cells and increased the collagen synthesis that was decreased due to UVB exposure. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) activity and MMP-1 protein expression were reduced in human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells. These results indicate that the EtOAc fraction has superior antioxidant activity, anti-melanogenesis, and anti-photoaging effects compared to the other fractions. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the potential of P. thunbergiana leaf extract as a functional cosmetic ingredient, and it can be used as basic data for the physiological activity of P. thunbergiana leaf extracts.

Tectoridin alleviates lipopolysaccharide -induced inflammaion via inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling in vivo and in vitro

BACKGROUD

Tectoridin, widely extracted and separated from the rhizome of Iris tectorum Maxium, is extensively reported to have affluent bioactivity, but rarely reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we aim to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and the underlying mechanisms of tectoridin.

METHODS

Here, RAW264.7 macrophages were stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for the inflammation model in vitro. Experimental animals received tectoridin and Dexamethasone (DEX) before LPS injection for endotoxic shock mouse model in vivo. The pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the cell supernatant and serum were detected by ELISA kits. The tissue damages were assessed by biochemical indexes and H&E staining. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed for the detection of proteins.

RESULTS

Our data showed that tectoridin attenuated the LPS-up-regulated nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6, (IL-6) and interleukin-18, (IL-18) from macrophages and tumor necrosis factor-α, (TNF-α); (IL-6) and (IL-1β) in the serum levels. Besides, our histopathological study showed that the damages caused by LPS in the lung, liver and kidney tissues were decreased. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that tectoridin inhibited the activation of TLR4-NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling proved by immunohistochemistry assay and Western blot.

CONCLUSION

Taken all together, tectoridin might have the potential ability of anti-inflammatory effects and the possible mechanism may be relevant to its inhibition of TLR4-NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling.

Investigation of effect of tectorigenin (O-methylated isoflavone) on Ca2+ signal transduction and cytotoxic responses in canine renal tubular cells

Tectorigenin, a traditional Chinese medicine, is isolated from the flower of plants such as Pueraria thomsonii Benth. It is an O-methylated isoflavone, a type of flavonoid. Previous studies have shown that tectorigenin evoked various physiological responses in different models, but the effect of tectorigenin on cytosolic-free Ca²⁺ levels ([Ca²⁺]_i) and cytotoxicity in renal tubular cells is unknown. Our research explored if tectorigenin changed Ca²⁺ signal transduction and viability in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) renal tubular cells. [Ca²⁺]_iin suspended cells were measured by applying the fluorescent Ca²⁺-sensitive probe fura-2. Viability was explored by using water-soluble tetrazolium-1 as a fluorescent dye. Tectorigenin at concentrations of 5-50 μM induced [Ca²⁺]_irises. Ca²⁺ removal reduced the signal by approximately 20%. Tectorigenin (50 μM) induced Mn²⁺ influx suggesting of Ca²⁺ entry. Tectorigenin-induced Ca²⁺ entry was inhibited by 10% by three inhibitors of store-operated Ca²⁺ channels, namely, nifedipine, econazole, and SKF96365. In Ca²⁺-free medium, treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump inhibitor thapsigargin inhibited 83% of tectorigenin-evoked [Ca²⁺]_irises. Conversely, treatment with tectorigenin abolished thapsigargin-evoked [Ca²⁺]_irises. Inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 inhibited 50% of tectorigenin-induced [Ca²⁺]_irises. Tectorigenin at concentrations between 10 and 60 μM killed cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. Chelation of cytosolic Ca²⁺ with 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N, N, N', N'-tetraacetic acid/acetoxy methyl did not reverse tectorigenin's cytotoxicity. Our data suggest that, in MDCK cells, tectorigenin evoked [Ca²⁺]_irises and induced cell death that was not associated with [Ca²⁺]_irises. Therefore, tectorigenin may be a Ca²⁺-independent cytotoxic agent for kidney cells.

Anti-Endometriotic Effects of Pueraria Flower Extract in Human Endometriotic Cells and Mice

Pueraria flowers have been used as a vegetable and an ingredient for tea and jelly. In this study, we investigated the effects of Pueraria flower extract (PFE) on endometriosis, a common gynaecological disease characterised by local sterile inflammation of peritoneal cavity. PFE suppressed the adhesion of human endometriotic cells 11Z and 12Z to human mesothelial Met5A cells. In addition, PFE significantly inhibited the migration of 11Z and 12Z cells as shown by wound-healing and transwell migration assays. PFE reduced the protein and mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in endometriotic cells. Moreover, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 was activated by PFE treatment, and an ERK1/2 inhibitor, PD98059, significantly inhibited PFE-inhibited cell migration in endometriotic cells. Furthermore, PFE significantly suppressed endometriotic lesion formation in a mouse model. These data suggest that Pueraria flower is a potential anti-endometriotic agent for the inhibition of endometriotic cell adhesion, migration, and MMP expression.

New triterpenoid saponins from the flowers of Pueraria thomsonii

Two new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, kakkasaponin II (1) and kakkasaponin III (2), were isolated from the methanol extract of the flowers of Pueraria thomsonii (Leguminosae), together with seven known oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, phaseoside IV (3), sophoradiol monoglucuronide (4), kakkasaponin I (5), kaikasaponin III (6), soyasaponin I (7), soyasaponin III (8), and soyasaponin IV (9). The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including IR, ESI-TOF-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Kudzu root: traditional uses and potential medicinal benefits in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases

Kudzu root (Gegen in Chinese) is the dried root of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, a semi-woody, perennial and leguminous vine native to South East Asia. It is often used interchangeably in traditional Chinese medicine with thomson kudzu root (Fengen in Chinese), the dried root of P. thomsonii, although the Chinese Pharmacopoeia has separated them into two monographs since the 2005 edition. For more than 2000 years, kudzu root has been used as a herbal medicine for the treatment of fever, acute dysentery, diarrhoea, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Both English and Chinese literatures on the traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, toxicology, quality control and potential interactions with conventional drugs of both species have been included in the present review. Over seventy phytochemicals have been identified in kudzu root, with isoflavonoids and triterpenoids as the major constituents. Isoflavonoids, in particular puerarin, have been used in most of the pharmacological studies. Animal and cellular studies have provided support for the traditional uses of kudzu root on cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and endocrine systems, including diabetes and its complications. Further studies to define the active phytochemical compositions, quality standards and clinical efficacy are warranted. Strong interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge the gap between traditional medicine and modern biomedical medicine is therefore needed for the development of kudzu root as an effective medicine for the management of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

Antibacterial activity of oleanolic and ursolic acids and their derivatives

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing at an alarming rate and many commonly used antibiotics are no longer effective. Thus, there is considerable interest in investigating novel antibacterial compounds, such as the plant-derived pentacyclic triterpenoids, including oleanolic acid (OA), ursolic acid (UA) and their derivatives. These compounds can be isolated from many medicinal and crop plants and their antibacterial, antiviral, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory effects are well documented. OA and UA are active against many bacterial species, particularly Gram-positive species, including mycobacteria. They inhibit bacterial growth and survival, and the spectrum of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values is very broad. In addition, OA, UA and their derivatives display potent antimutagenic activity. Studies to identify the cellular targets and molecular mechanisms of OA and UA action were initiated a few years ago and it has already been demonstrated that both acids influence bacterial gene expression, the formation and maintenance of biofilms, cell autolysis and peptidoglycan turnover. Before these compounds can be used clinically as antimicrobial agents, further extensive studies are required to determine their cytotoxicity and the optimum mode of their application.

Antimutagenic effects of ethanolic extracts from selected Palestinian medicinal plants

AIM OF THE STUDY

Eryngium creticum, Nigella sativa, and Teucrium polium have been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammations, liver disorders, and arthritis. Various studies on these plants revealed anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antimutagenic activities. Previous results of our research group, however, indicate that aqueous extracts prepared as for the traditional use (tea) have neither cytoprotective nor antimutagenic activity. Instead, there is evidence for a mutagenic potential. Since the described antimutagenic activity may not be present in effective amounts in the aqueous extracts this study focuses on ethanolic extracts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ethanolic extracts of the three plant species were prepared and tested against N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a directly acting mutagen. Since it cannot be excluded that the active constituents of the plant extracts require biotransformation or induce metabolic enzymes, causing antimutagenic or detoxifying effects, primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used for this study. Plant ethanolic extracts were applied along with MNNG in three protocols: pre-treatment, combined treatment and post-treatment.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results of this investigation clearly indicate an inhibitory effect of the plant extracts on MNNG mutagenicity, while the extracts had no effect on cytotoxicity indicators such as necrosis and apoptosis. The effects obtained can be attributed to a direct antimutagenic activity and an increased recovery at the chromosomal level. In order to identify the responsible compounds extracts will in a next step have to be fractionated, tested and chemically analyzed.

Inhibitory activity of isoflavones of Pueraria flowers on nitric oxide production from lipopolysaccharide-activated primary rat microglia

Microglial activation plays an important role in alcohol-induced neuroinflammation. In search for natural medicines that may be of therapeutic potential for alcoholism, two new natural isoflavone glycosides, 6-hydroxybiochanin A-6,7-di-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (1) and 6-hydroxygenistein-7-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (2), were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the flowers of Pueraria thomsonii Benth., together with the seven known isoflavones, genistein (3), tectorigenin (4), irisolidone (5), genistin (7), tectoridin (8), tectorigenin-7-O-beta-d-xylosyl-(1 --> 6)-beta-d-glucopyranoside (9), and 6-hydroxygenistein-6,7-di-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (11). Moreover, gehuain (6) and kakkalide (10) were obtained from the flowers of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by UV, IR, HR-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic methods. Compounds 3-5 substantially inhibited the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide release from primary cultured rat cortical microglia (IC50: 1.3-9.3 microM). The inhibitory effects of compounds 6, 8, 9, and 11 (IC50: 38-62 microM) were significant but weaker than the above aglycones. However, compounds 1, 2, 7, and 10 showed little inhibitory activity. With regard to the structure-activity relationships of the isoflavonoids for the inhibition of microglial activation, the glycosylation at the C-7 hydroxyl group reduces the inhibitory activity. The methoxylation of 4'-hydroxyl group of 7-glycosylated isoflavonoids reduces the inhibitory activity, while the methoxyl group at the 6-position enhances the activity. The results suggest that isoflavonoids of Pueraria flowers may be of therapeutic potential in alcoholism related to microglial activation.

Daidzein activates choline acetyltransferase from MC-IXC cells and improves drug-induced amnesia

The choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activator, which enhances cholinergic transmission via an augmentation of the enzymatic production of acetylcholine (ACh), is an important factor in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methanolic extracts from Pueraria thunbergiana exhibited an activation effect (46%) on ChAT in vitro. Via the sequential isolation of Pueraria thunbergiana, the active component was ultimately identified as daidzein (4',7-dihydroxy-isoflavone). In order to investigate the effects of daidzein from Pueraria thunbergiana on scopolamine-induced impairments of learning and memory, we conducted a series of in vivo tests. Administration of daidzein (4.5 mg/kg body weight) to mice was shown significantly to reverse scopolamine-induced amnesia, according to the results of a Y-maze test. Injections of scopolamine into mice resulted in impaired performance on Y-maze tests (a 37% decreases in alternation behavior). By way of contrast, mice treated with daidzein prior to the scopolamine injections were noticeably protected from this performance impairment (an approximately 12%-21% decrease in alternation behavior). These results indicate that daidzein might play a role in acetylcholine biosynthesis as a ChAT activator, and that it also ameliorates scopolamine-induced amnesia.

The antioxidant activity of a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from the berries ofHedera colchica: 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-hederagenin

The antioxidant activity of a triterpenoid glycoside [3-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-hederagenin; OGH] isolated from the berries of Hedera colchica, an ivy species endemic in Georgia, was investigated. The antioxidant properties of OGH were evaluated using different antioxidant assays: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl free radical (DPPH.) scavenging, total antioxidant activity, reducing power, superoxide anion radical (O2*-)) scavenging, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging and metal chelating activities. The total antioxidant activity was measured according to the ferric thiocyanate method. alpha-Tocopherol and trolox, a water-soluble analogue of tocopherol, were used as reference antioxidant compounds. At a 30 microg/mL concentration, the inhibitory effects of OGH on the peroxidation of linoleic acid emulsion was found to be 95.3%, whereas alpha-tocopherol and trolox exhibited 88.8% and 86.2% inhibition of peroxidation in the system, respectively. In addition, OGH had effective DPPH. scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, total reducing power and metal chelation of ferrous ions activities. These various antioxidant activities were compared with alpha-tocopherol and trolox.

Cytoprotective effect of tectorigenin, a metabolite formed by transformation of tectoridin by intestinal microflora, on oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide

In the present study, the antioxidative properties of tectorigenin, a metabolite formed by transformation of tectoridin by intestinal microflora, were investigated. Tectorigenin was found to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and thus prevented lipid peroxidation. The radical scavenging activity of tectorigenin protected the viability of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. Furthermore, tectorigenin reduced the apoptotic cells formation and cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase induced by H2O2. Tectorigenin increased the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and also increased their protein level. Taken together, these findings suggest that tectorigenin protected V79-4 cells against H2O2 damage, by enhancing the antioxidative activity and by activating ERK pathway.

Belamcanda chinensis and the thereof purified tectorigenin have selective estrogen receptor modulator activities

Belamcanda chinensis (BC) belongs to the family of iridaceae and the isoflavone tectorigenin has been isolated from the rhizome of this plant. Whether this isoflavone has estrogenic, possibly selective estrogen receptor modulator activities and if so, whether they are mediated via the estrogen receptor alpha or beta is unknown at present. Therefore, we performed binding studies with recombinant human ERalpha and ERbeta to show that tectorigenin binds to both receptor subtypes. In ERalpha-expressing MCF7 and ERbeta-expressing MDA-MB231 reporter gene transfected cells tectorigenin causes transactivation. When given intravenously to ovariectomized (ovx) rats, it inhibits pulsatile pituitary LH secretion. In postmenopausal women estrogen-unopposed LH pulses correlate with hot flushes. Therefore, suppression of pulsatile LH secretion may be beneficial in women suffering from hot flushes. Upon chronic application to ovx rats a BC extract containing 5% Belamcanda at a daily dose of 33 mg or 130 mg of the extract had no effect on uterine weight or on estrogen-regulated uterine gene expression while estrogenic effects in the bone, on bone mineral density of the metaphysis of the tibia could be established. Hence, tectorigenin may have antiosteoporotic effects also in postmenopausal women. Immunohistochemical staining of proliferating cell nuclear antigen--a proliferation marker--in the mammary gland did not indicate a mammotrophic effect of the tectorigenin-containing BC extract at both tested doses. In summary, tectorigenin or the B. chinensis extract containing tectorigenin had a strong hypothalamotropic and osteotropic effect but no effect in the uterus or the mammary gland. Therefore, tectorigenin may be in the future a clinically useful selective estrogen receptor modulator.

Effect of Kaikasaponin III Obtained fromPueraria thunbergianaFlowers on Serum and Hepatic Lipid Peroxides and Tissue Factor Activity in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat

We investigated the effect of kaikasaponin III (KS-III) on Phase I and II enzymes and tissue factor (TF) activity to elucidate the pharmacological actions of this immunosuppressive saponin in the diabetic rat. This compound was obtained from the flower of Pueraria thunbergiana (Leguminosae) by chromatographic isolation. This crude drug (Puerariae Flos) has been used as a therapeutic agent for diabetes mellitus in traditional Korean medicine. KS-III prolonged the bleeding time and plasma clotting time in streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats and increased the TF activity, suggesting that this compound has anti-thrombosis activity in STZ-induced rats. It also inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy radicals in serum and liver, but promoted superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Low MDA concentrations and low xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase activities were observed in the KS-III-treated rats, suggesting that such Phase I enzyme activities are the major source of lipid peroxidation. However, KS-III increased Phase II enzyme activities such as SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, suggesting the activation of free radical-scavenging enzymes. These results suggest that KS-III may exhibit its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects by up-regulating or down-regulating antioxidant mechanisms via the changes in Phase I and II enzyme activities.

Antioxidant activities of isoflavones from the rhizomes ofbelamcanda chinensis on carbon tetrachloride-lnduced hepatic injury in rats

The present study was carried out to clarify whether tectorigenin and tectoridin isolated from the rhizomes of Belamcanda chinensis (Iridaceae) inhibit hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-intoxication in rats by the experimental methods in vitro and in vivo. Tectorigenin and tectoridin exhibited a significant decrease in serum transaminase activities elevated by hepatic damage induced by CCl4-intoxication in rats, as well as in a lipid peroxidation causing a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) production by thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactant assay. Both compounds also showed strong increase in the antioxidant enzymes such as hepatic cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activities in CCl4-intoxicated rats. These results suggested that tectorigenin and tectoridin isolated from the rhizomes of B. chinensis possess not only the antioxidative, but also the hepatoprotective activities in CCl4-intoxicated rats.