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A yang‐promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation enhances the antioxidant status of red cells in male human subjects
Author(s) -
Mak D. H. F.,
Chiu P. Y.,
Poon M. K. T.,
Ng T. T. L.,
Chung Y. K.,
Lam B. Y. H.,
Du Y.,
Ko K. M.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
phytotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.019
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1573
pISSN - 0951-418X
DOI - 10.1002/ptr.1476
Subject(s) - antioxidant , lipid peroxidation , catalase , superoxide dismutase , glutathione , suppository , chemistry , oxidative stress , pharmacology , lipid peroxide , medicine , traditional medicine , biochemistry , enzyme
Abstract In the 16‐week pilot study, the effect of a Yang ‐promoting Chinese herbal suppository preparation (VI‐28) on the red cell antioxidant status was examined in 31 healthy male subjects aged 41–66 years old. VI‐28 treatment for 12 weeks (one suppository (0.3 g) daily for week 1–4; one every 2 days for week 5–8; one every 3 days for week 9–12) produced a time/dose‐dependent alteration in red cell antioxidant status. The VI‐28‐induced change is characterized by a slight depletion in cellular reduced glutathione (GSH) level and a decrease in susceptibility to peroxide‐induced lipid peroxidation as well as increases in catalase (CAT) and Cu‐Zn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. While a reversal trend of change was observed in cellular GSH level, the susceptibility to lipid peroxidation as well as the CAT activity after the cessation of treatment for 4 weeks, the SOD activity exhibited a protracted increase. The results indicate that VI‐28 treatment enhances red cell antioxidant status in male subjects. The benecial effect of VI‐28 treatment on red cells may reect a corresponding change in antioxidant status of peripheral tissues. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.