Protective effect of schisanhenol against oxygen radical induced mitochondrial toxicity on rat heart and liver.

Schisanhenol (SAL) had been shown to have potent antioxidant activities. The protective effects of SAL against oxygen radical induced mitochondrial injuries of rat heart and liver were investigated in the present study. The ferrous-cysteine induced mitochondrial lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by SAL, while the loss of ATPase activity induced by the lipid peroxidation was prevented. The rigidification of mitochondrial membrane, as well as swelling, lysis and disintegration of the mitochondria induced by ferrous-cysteine were all significantly inhibited by SAL. These results further confirm that SAL possesses antioxidant activity.