Structure of a new steroid 24<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-ergost-4-en-3,6-dione from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aconitum septentrionale</Emphasis>

β-Sitosterol and the new phytosteroid 24S-ergost-4-en-3,6-dione were isolated from the industrial extraction waste of the alkaloid-bearing plant Aconitum septentrionale Koelle. The structure of the isolated compound was determined by x-ray structure analysis and PMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the steroid contains a disordered terminal 24-methyl,24-isopropyl group that occupies two positions in a 0.55:0.45 ratio.     

Lack of effect of oral supplementation with antioxidants on cholesterol oxidation product concentration of human plasma,as revealed by an improved gas chromatography method

A gas chromatographic method was successfully applied to determine cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) in human plasma. The linearity, precision, recovery and sensitivity of the method were determined. Oral supplementation with a combination of vitamin E (800 IU), C (1 g) and β-carotene (24 mg), given for 21 days to 21 patients, did not significantly decrease plasma COP content. No correlations (n = 26) were found between initial plasma COP content and the following parameters: age, body mass index, plasma content of α-tocopherol, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, and fat, natural antioxidant and oxidized lipid intake. Differences in plasma COP content between type 2 diabetic (n = 6) and nondiabetic (n = 20) patients were not statistically significant. The results from this study lead us to hypothesize that the nonenzymatic oxidation of cholesterol in plasma is negligible compared to COPs originating from the diet. This article also includes a comprehensive review of the drawbacks of the analytical methods of COP determination in plasma and serum.     

The Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Activity of Wheat Germ and Wheat Germ Protein in High-Fat Diet-Induced Rats

Background: So far, no articles have discussed the hypolipidemic effect of wheat germ protein in in vivo experiments. Objective: In this study, we investigated the effects of wheat germ protein (WGP, 300 mg/kg/day) and wheat germ (WG, 300 mg/kg/day) on cholesterol metabolism, antioxidant activities, and serum and hepatic lipids in rats fed a high-fat diet through gavage. Methodology: We used 4-week-old male Wistar 20 rats in our animal experiment. Biochemical indicators of fecal, serum and liver were tested by kits or chemical methods. We also conducted the cholesterol micellar solubility experiment in vitro. Results: After 28 days of treatment, our results showed that WGP significantly reduced the serum levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.05) and nonhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), improved the enzymatic activities of cholesterol 7-α hydroxylase (p < 0.01) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (p < 0.01) and increased bile acid excretion in feces (p < 0.05). Conclusion: WG did not significantly increase bile acid excretion in feces or decrease serum levels of total cholesterol. Moreover, WGP and WG both presented significant antioxidant activity in vivo (p < 0.05) and caused a significant reduction in cholesterol micellar solubility in vitro (p < 0.001). Therefore, WGP may effectively prevent hyperlipidemia and its complications as WGP treatment enhanced antioxidant activity, decreased the concentration of serum lipids and improved the activity of enzymes involved in cholesterol metabolism.     

Metabolomics analysis of the therapeutic mechanism of Semen Descurainiae Oil on hyperlipidemia rats using 1H‐NMR and LC–MS

Semen descurainiae oil (SDO) is an important traditional Chinese medicine that was recently discovered to have the function of reducing blood lipids. Metabolomics analyses of plasma, liver and kidney in rats were performed using ¹H‐NMR and LC–MS to illuminate the lower blood lipid concentration effect of SDO, and niacin was considered as the active control. The measure of total cholesterol (TC) and low‐density‐lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in plasma showed that SDO treatment decreased significantly the content of TC and LDL‐C. An orthogonal partial least squares–discriminant analysis approach was applied to identify the different metabolic profiles of plasma, liver and kidney in rats and to detect related potential biomarkers. The results suggested that the metabolic profiles of the control group and hyperlipidemia group showed significant difference and the SDO and niacin group had effective anti‐hyperlipidemia function. The biomarkers primarily concern lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism and glycometabolism, and the change in biomarkers indicated that hyperlipidemia could cause the unbalance of these metabolic pathways in vivo. SDO reduced blood lipids by repairing amino acid and lipid metabolism.     

Influence of heavy metals, especially lead, on lipid metabolism, serum alpha-tocopherol level, total antioxidant status, and erythrocyte redox status of copper smelter workers

An assessment of influence of the occupational exposure to heavy metals, especially lead, on serum lipids (including lipid peroxides), total antioxidant status, erythrocyte redox status, and serum alpha-tocopherol level was performed in a group of 141 healthy male copper smelter workers. The following parameters were measured: blood lead and cadmium levels, serum manganese, copper, zinc, calcium and magnesium levels, free erythrocyte protoporphyrins (FEP), total cholesterol, HDL₂-, HDL₃-cholesterol, triglycerides and lipid peroxides in serum, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD_E), catalase (Cat_E) and glutathion peroxidase (PxGSH_E) activities, erythrocyte reduced glutathione level (GSH_E), serum alpha-tocopherol level, and serum total antioxidant status (TAS). Mean Pb_B was within the norm range (328.2 ± 141.7 μg/L), but mean Mn_S concentration slightly exceeded 10 μg/L (11.04 ± 3.79 μg/L). Mean cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations were near the highest borderline values. We found a significantly negative correlation between lead levels and HDL₃-cholesterol (r = 0.253, P < 0.05). Erythocyte catalase activity and TAS were lowered. TAS showed significant negative correlation with Pb_B. A group of workers with Pb_B≥ 400 μg/L had significantly lower Cat_E, lower TAS, and lower HDL₃-cholesterol, compared to the workers with Pb < 400 μg/L. We have also found positive correlation between alpha-tocopherol and total cholesterol (r = 0.267, P < 0.05) and between alpha-tocopherol and LDL-cholesterol (r = 0.207, P < 0.05). Received: 28 July 1997 / Revised: 6 November 1997 / Accepted: 4 November 1997     

Protective Effect of Polyphenols Extract of Adlay (<em>Coix lachryma-jobi </em>L. var<em>. ma-yuen Stapf</em>) on Hypercholesterolemia-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

The present study examines the effect of polyphenols extract of adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) (APE) on high cholesterol diet fed rats (HCD). APE was orally administrated by gavage at doses of 10, 40 and 200 mg total phenolics/kg body weight of rats once a day for 28 days. At the end of four weeks, serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and markers of oxidative stress viz., malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the serum and liver of HCD and normal rats were assessed and compared. The results showed that administration of APE was significantly effective in decreasing the serum levels of TC, LDL-C and MDA, increasing the serum level of HDL-C and antioxidant capacity. In addition, oral gavage of APE could also increase the antioxidant capacity, CAT and GSH-Px activities in liver. These results suggested that APE exerted a high hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant activities, which might be characterized by a protective effect on cardiovascular health in vivo.     

A metabolomic analysis of the toxicity of Aconitum sp. alkaloids in rats using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A metabolomic investigation of intoxication with Aconitum sp. alkaloids was carried out. Plasma obtained from Wistar rats administered these alkaloids was analyzed using gas chromatography/time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Samples were analyzed following protein precipitation, liquid‐liquid extraction, and derivatization. Thirty‐six metabolites were identified among the detected compounds. Subsequent data analysis using the t test and principal component analysis revealed metabolic differences between the control rats and treated groups as well as between the groups of rats administered different alkaloids. Twenty‐seven metabolites were significantly different between plasma samples from the controls and treated groups. The significant decreased plasma levels of glutamine and creatinine in all treated groups suggested impaired heart and muscle function caused by alkaloids. The plasma levels of 22 metabolites in the hypaconitine group were significantly decreased. In contrast, only 8 and 13 metabolites were observed with significantly decreased levels in the aconitine and mesaconitine groups, respectively.These results indicated that Aconitum sp. alkaloids can cause metabolic disorders in rats. The toxicity and corresponding mechanism of hypaconitine was different from those of aconitine and mesaconitine, based on the differences of perturbed metabolic patterns between groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antioxidants Isolated from Elaeagnus umbellata (Thunb.) Protect against Bacterial Infections and Diabetes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Model

The increase in resistance of microbes against conventional drugs is currently a hot issue, whereas diabetes is another main cause of mortalities encountered throughout the world after cancer and heart attacks. New drug sources in the form of plants are investigated to get effective drugs for the mentioned diseases with minimum side effects. Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. is a medicinal plant used for the management of stress related disorders like diabetes and other health complications. The active constituents of the chloroform extract derived from E. umbellata berries was isolated by silica gel column chromatography which were identified as morin, phloroglucinol, and 1-hexyl benzene through various spectroscopic techniques (electron ionization mass spectrometry, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR spectroscopy). The possible protective effects (antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic activity) of isolated compounds were evaluated using reported methods. Morin exhibited strong in vitro antiradical potential against DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radicals along with prominent antibacterial activities against selected bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis). Among the isolated compounds the more potent one (morin) was assessed for its in vivo antidiabetic potential in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The in vivo effects observed were further confirmed in ex vivo experiments where the effect of isolated compound on antioxidant enzyme like glutathione peroxidase (GPx), total content of reduced glutathione (GSH), % DPPH inhibition, and the lipid peroxidation MDA (Malondialdehyde) level in pancreatic tissues homogenates were evaluated. In vivo morin at tested doses (2, 10, 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight) significantly restored the alterations in the levels of fasting blood glucose level and body weight loss along with significant decrease in levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, HbA1c level, and significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein in diabetic rats. Morin also effectively ameliorated the hepatic enzymes, and renal functions like serum creatinine. Morin significantly increased the antioxidant enzyme like GPx activity, GSH content, and % DPPH inhibition activity, while reduced the lipid peroxidation MDA (malondialdehyde) level in pancreatic tissues homogenates, and modification of histopathological changes in diabetic rats. Morin exhibited high antioxidant, antibacterial, and antidiabetic potentials as compared to phloroglucinol and 1-hexyl benzene, that could, therefore, be considered as a promising therapeutic agent to treat diabetes mellitus and bacterial infections.     

Antihyperglycemic,antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative evaluation of compounds from Senna sophera (L.) Roxb in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Senna sophera (L.) Roxb (Common name: Kasunda, Baner) (Leguminosae) is used as traditional medicine in Africa and Asia. The compounds were isolated from methanolic extract of leaves of Senna sophera (MFCS). Compound A was identified as Hexahydroxy diphenic acid and Compound B as Kaempferol. MFCS administration to diabetic rats exhibited significant reduction in the blood sugar level and showed gain in body weight. After the treatment of 100 mg/kg of MFCS, the blood sugar level was reduced to 52.33 ± 2.83 mg/dl in comparison to the blood sugar level of vehicle control 76.66 ± 3.17 mg/dl, whereas treatment with 50 mg/kg of MFCS reduced the blood sugar level slightly (72.33 ± 2.42 mg/dl). The daily continuous administration of MFCS for a period of 21 days normalised the serum lipid levels confirming the effect of MFCS on diabetic hyperlipidemia. Treatment with MFCS also reversed the activities of antioxidants, which could be a result of decreased lipid peroxidation.     

Exogenous Addition of 25-Hydroxycholesterol Reduces Level of Very Long-Chain Fatty Acids in X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

X-Linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a severe metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). Recently, we demonstrated that levels of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) and cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) were found to be elevated in X-ALD. Herein, we report that the exogenous addition of 25-HC significantly reduces C26:0 levels in X-ALD patient-derived fibroblasts and oligodendrocytes differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from X-ALD patients. Moreover, 25-HC treatment was found to down-regulate the expression of ELOVL1, a key enzyme for the synthesis of C26. In addition, activation of liver X receptor (LXR), a molecular target of endogenous 25-HC, also reduced C26:0 level. The reduction of C26:0 levels by 25-HC treatment might result, at least partially, from the decrease of ELOVL1 expression as well as the activation of LXR. Our findings could provide a better understanding of the role of 25-HC in X-ALD and useful information to find therapeutic agents to treat X-ALD.     

Contraceptive studies of isolated fractions of Cuminum cyminum in male albino rats

The contraceptive efficacy of Cuminum cyminum isolated fractions (CcFr) in male albino rats was investigated. Oral dose of CcFr at 50 mg/rat/day for 60 days revealed no significant changes in body weight, while marked abnormalities in spermatogenesis were observed with decreased counts (P ≤ 0.001) in round spermatids, preleptotene spermatocytes and secondary spermatocytes. Cross sectional surface area of Sertoli cells as well as number of mature Leydig cell were decreased significantly (P ≤ 0.001). Testicular as well as accessory sex organ biochemical parameters were significantly changed (P ≤ 0.001). Sperm motility, density and morphology were resulted in 100% negative fertility. Testosterone levels were declined significantly. In conclusion, Cuminum cyminum inhibited spermatogenesis in rats, indicating the possibility of developing an herbal male contraceptive.     

Isolation,Structural Characterization,and Validation of a New Compound Present in Non‐Carbonyl Curcuma longa (NCCL): A Potential Lead for Stroke

The hexane soluble extract of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) [herbal medicament (HM)] developed by Central Drug Research Institute, India, as a new antistroke agent. It contains carbonyl as well as non‐carbonyl compounds. To see the activity of non‐carbonyl compounds, HM was reacted with semicarbazide hydrochloride to remove the carbonyl compounds. This chemically modified fraction [non‐carbonyl Curcuma longa (NCCL)] of HM was found to be active at lower dose than HM against endothelial mediated inflammation in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion induced rats. It reduced significantly the serum CK‐MB levels, inflammatory cytokine mediators (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IFN‐γ), plasma endothelial microparticle level and also found useful in improving the endothelial functionality. It was also found active in anti‐inflammatory and cytotoxic activity for sepsis and leukemia. To find out the compounds that are responsible for its enhanced activity in comparison of HM, we have isolated two major peaks present in the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of NCCL and their structures were characterized. Based on the characterization, we found that these compounds are not the non‐carbonyl compounds present in HM but the new cyclic structures formed by the reaction of ar‐turmerone, α‐turmerone, and β‐turmerone with semicarbazide hydrochloride used in the reaction. This hypothesis was validated by isolation of ar‐turmerone, α‐turmerone, and β‐turmerone from HM and reacting them with semicarbazide hydrochloride using the same reaction conditions of NCCL formation. The same mass spectral data and same retention time (RT) value in high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis further confirms our hypothesis.     

Enantioselective analysis of zopiclone and its metabolites in plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with triple-quadrupole mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS-MS) was developed and validated for the first time for the simultaneous quantification of zopiclone and its metabolites in rat plasma samples. The analytes were isolated from rat plasma by liquid–liquid extraction and separated using a chiral stationary phase based on an amylose derivative, Chiralpak ADR-H column, and ethanol–methanol–acetonitrile (50:45:5, v/v/v) plus 0.025% diethylamine as the mobile phase, at a flow-rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹. Moclobemide was used as the internal standard. The developed method was linear over the concentration range of 7.5–500 ng mL⁻¹. The mean absolute recoveries were 74.6 and 75.7; 61.6 and 56.9; 72.5, and 70.7 for zopiclone enantiomers, for N-desmethyl zopiclone enantiomers and for zopiclone-N-oxide enantiomers, respectively, and 75.9 for the internal standard. Precision and accuracy were within acceptable levels of confidence (<15%). The method application in a pilot study of zopiclone kinetic disposition in rats showed that the levels of (+)-(S)-zopiclone were always higher than those of (−)-R-zopiclone. Higher concentrations were also observed for (+)-(S)-N-desmethyl zopiclone and (+)-(S)-N-oxide zopiclone, confirming the stereoselective disposition of zopiclone.     

THE ROLE OF LIPOPROTEINS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF TIN ETIOPURPURIN (SnET2) IN THE TUMOR-BEARING RAT

The role of plasma lipoproteins in the distribution of the photosensitizing agent tin etiopurpurin (SnET2) was examined in male rats bearing the N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide-induced tumor. Treatement with 17α-ethinyl estradiol resulted in the depletion of total plasma cholesterol by > 70% and a corresponding decrease in plasma lipoproteins. To both control and estradiol-treated animals, a therapeutic dose (1.5mg/kg) of SnET2 was administered and biodistribution measured 24 h later. Estradiol treatment was not associated with difference in the distribution of SnET2 to liver, skin or tumor, or in the pattern of affinity of SnET2 to plasma albumin and lipoprotein. These results indicate that a substantial decrease in circulating lipoprotein levels does not alter patterns of SnET2 biodistribution.     

Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the quantification of styraxlignolide A in rat plasma

Styraxlignolide A is a pharmacologically active ingredient isolated from Styrax japonica Sieb. et Zucc. A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatographic method with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was developed for use in the quantification of styraxlignolide A in rat plasma. Styraxlignolide A was extracted from rat plasma using ethyl acetate at neutral pH. The analytes were separated on an Atlantis dC₁₈ column using a mixture of methanol and ammonium formate (10 mM, pH 3.0) (70:30, v/v) and detected by tandem mass spectrometry in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The standard curve was linear (r²=0.9978) over the concentration range of 100?10000 ng/mL. The lower limit of quantification was 100 ng/mL using 50 μL of plasma sample. The coefficient of variation and relative error for intra‐ and inter‐assays at four QC levels were 1.6–8.3% and from ?12.0 to ?1.7%, respectively. The present method was applied successfully to the pharmacokinetic study of styraxlignolide A after intravenous administration of styraxlignolide A at a dose of 10 mg/kg in male Sprague–Dawley rats.     

Lipid lowering effects of high linoleate and high alpha-linolenate diets in rats and mice. Consequence of long-term feedings.

Diets high in linoleate (safflower oil) or high in alpha-linolenate (perilla oil) were fed to rats for 11 months, and the effects of the diets on plasma and tissue lipids were compared. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (Cho), phospholipids (PL) and triacylglycerol (TG) were significantly lower in the high alpha-linolenate group than in the high linoleate group, the differences being more than 30% in the levels of total Cho and TG. The diets had differential effects on the lipid contents of major tissues: the TG level in muscle was higher but both the TG level in depot fat and the PL level in muscle were lower in the high alpha-linolenate group than in the high linoleate group. In order to clarify whether or not the hypolipidemic effect of the high alpha-linolenate diet was due to changes in the distribution of lipids among tissues, whole body lipids were estimated in mice fed these diets for 5 months. The whole body Cho content was significantly lower, by 28%, in the high alpha-linolenate group compared with the high linoleate group, but the total lipid content, PL and neutral lipids were similar between the groups. Our results indicate that the high alpha-linolenate diet has a more potent cholesterol lowering effect in plasma and body tissue than the high linoleate diet; interestingly, whole body TG levels are similar but tissue distributions of TG are different between the two dietary groups.     

Comparative pharmacokinetic study of six lignans in normal and diabetic rats after oral administration of Saururus chinensis extract by LC–MS/MS

Saururus chinensis (SC) possesses significant anti-diabetic activity and lignans were its major bioactive compounds. In this study, a rapid and sensitive ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS) method was established for simultaneous quantification of six lignans, namely (-)-(7R,8R)-machilin D ( 1 ), verrucesin ( 2 ), rel-(7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7.O.7′,8.8′-lignan ( 3 ), manassantin A ( 4 ), manassantin B ( 5 ), and saucerneol F ( 6 ) in rat’s plasma. It was validated with acceptable linearity (r ≥ 0.9922), accuracy (80.42–95.17%), precision (RSD ≤ 12.08%), and extraction recovery (80.36–93.45%). The method was successfully applied to the comparative pharmacokinetic study of the six lignans in normal and diabetic rats after oral administration of SC extract. Results showed that the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC_{0 → t} and AUC_{0 → ∞}) of (-)-(7R,8R)-machilin D, rel-(7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7.O.7′,8.8′-lignan, manassantin B, and saucerneol F in diabetic rats were significantly increased, and the plasma clearance (CL) of (-)-(7R,8R)-machilin D in diabetic rats was significantly decreased. However, the AUC_{0 → t} and AUC_{0 → ∞} of verrucesin were significantly decreased, and its CL was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared with those in normal rats. These results indicated that there were remarkable differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters between the normal and diabetic rats. The pharmacokinetic studies might be beneficial for the clinical use of SC as hypoglycemic agent.     

Determination of plasma homocysteine with a UHPLC–MS/MS method: Application to analyze the correlation between plasma homocysteine and whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in healthy volunteers

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for determination of homocysteine (HCY) in human plasma. The HCY was derivatized with 2-chloro-1-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate and isolated using solid-phase extraction. Derivatization, isolation and detection procedures were optimized. Satisfactory linearity was obtained with determination coefficients (r²) >0.999. The intra- and inter-day precisions were in the interval of 1.2–5.1% and accuracy was within ±7%. Mean recoveries were close to 100%. The limit of detection and the limit of quantification were 0.46 and 1.38 μmol/L, respectively. The method was then applied to investigate the relationship between plasma HCY and whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolate levels in healthy volunteers. The results revealed that the plasma level of HCY was significantly negatively correlated to whole blood 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in volunteers.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of β-Chitosan from Gladius of Sepioteuthis lessoniana Against Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Oxidative Stress in Wistar Rats

Chitosan has attracted much attention as a biomedical material, owing to its unique biological activities. In this study, hepatoprotective effect of β-chitosan obtained from the gladius of squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana was studied against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats. The rats that received β-chitosan along with the administration of CCl₄ showed significantly decreased plasma and tissue alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) contents, whereas the treatment with β-chitosan alone markedly increased rat hepatic and circulatory superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and decreased the malondialdehyde level. Histopathological observations recommended the marked hepatoprotective effect of β-chitosan. The CCl₄-induced alterations on circulatory and hepatic antioxidant defence system were normalised by β-chitosan, and it could be concluded that the hepatoprotective effect of chitosan may be due to its antioxidant and antilipidemic property. Therefore, β-chitosan could be considered as antihepatotoxic agent.