Effects of Buyang Huanwu Decoction on antioxidant and drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver

AIM:To study the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD) on the antioxidant enzymes and drug-metabolizing enzymes in rat liver.METHOD:Following treatment of rats with BYHWD at 6.42,12.83,or 25.66 gkg-1 per day for 15 days,microsomes and cytosols isolated from the liver tissues were prepared by differential centrifugation according to standard procedures.The activities of the antioxidant enzymes and cytochrome b5,NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase,CYP3A,CYP2E1,UGT,and GST of the rat livers were determined by UV-Vis spectrophotometer.RESULTS:The activities of ALT,AST,antioxidant enzymes,and the Hepatosomatic Index in serum were not significantly affected.In cytosols,the activity of CAT was significantly increased at the dosage of 12.83 gkg-1,and all the other antioxidant activities and MDA levels were not affected by this treatment.BYHWD had no effect on cytochrome b5,NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase,CYP3A,and UGT.At the highest dose(25.66 gkg-1),the activity of CYP2E1 was significantly inhibited,and the activities of GST and the level of GSH were increased.CONCLUSION:BYHWD is safe for the liver,and has the functions of detoxification and antioxidant.Patients should be cautioned about the herb-drug interaction of BYHWD and CYP2E1 substrates.