Structure-activity relationship of schisandrins in enhancing liver mitochondrial glutathione status in CCl4-poisoned...

To explore whether the methylenedioxy group and cyclooctadiene ring of the dibenzocyclooctadiene skeleton of schisandrins (Sch) play a role in the liver mitochondrial glutathione status enhancing activity.

The effects of three dibenzocyclooctadiene derivatives, Sch A, Sch B, Sch C, and a synthetic intermediate of Sch C, (dimethyl biphenyl dicarboxylate, DBD) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-hepatotoxicity and liver mitochondrial glutathione status were examined in mice.

Pretreating mice with intragastric Sch B, Sch C, or DBD 1.mmol.kg-1.d-1 for 3 d protected against CCl4-hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotection afforded by Sch B or Sch C pretreatment was associated with increases in liver mitochondrial reduced glutathione (mtGSH) level and glutathione reductase (mtGRD) activity, an indication of enhanced mitochondrial glutathione status. In contrast, the hepatoprotective action of DBD was not accompanied by any detectable changes in mtGSH level and mtGRD activity.

Both the methylenedioxy group and the cyclooctadiene ring of the dibenzocyclooctadiene molecule are important structural determinants in the enhancement of liver mitochondrial glutathione status.