Evaluation of orange peel-derived activated carbons for treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater tailings.

Dyes are colored compounds which are visible even at trace concentrations. Due to their recalcitrance and esthetic persistence, certain methods are unable to effectively eliminate them. So far, adsorptive treatment using activated carbons (ACs) is one of the most successful methods. In this study, we have employed orange peel (OP) as a cost-effective alternative to the expensive coal- and coir-based precursors to synthesize ACs for cationic methylene blue (MB) and anionic methyl orange (MO) dye adsorption. The pre-carbonized OP was activated via H2SO4, NaOH, KOH, ZnCl2, and H3PO4 to study the effects of activation reagents on dye removal efficiencies and mechanisms. Among several isotherm models employed to fit the adsorption data, the Langmuir and Sips models sufficiently estimated the maximum equilibrium uptakes close to the experimental values of 1012.10 ± 29.13, 339.82 ± 6.98, and 382.15 ± 8.62 mg/g, for ZnCl2-AC (MO), ZnCl2-AC (MB), and KOH-AC (MB), respectively. The adsorption mechanisms were suggested to involve electrostatic binding, pi-pi interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electron donor-acceptor reactions. Consequently, more than 99% removal efficiency was achieved from a laboratory organic wastewater sample bearing ~ 35 mg/L of MB. The results thus suggest that the synthesized ACs from agricultural waste have the tendencies to be applied to real dye wastewater treatment.

Development of practical decontamination process for the removal of uranium from gravel.

In this study, a practical decontamination process was developed to remove uranium from gravel using a soil washing method. The effects of critical parameters including particle size, H2SO4 concentration, temperature, and reaction time on uranium removal were evaluated. The optimal condition for two-stage washing of gravel was found to be particle size of 1-2 mm, 1.0 M H2SO4, temperature of 60°C, and reaction time of 3 h, which satisfied the required uranium concentration for self-disposal. Furthermore, most of the extracted uranium was removed from the waste solution by precipitation, implying that the treated solution can be reused as washing solution. These results clearly demonstrated that our proposed process can be indeed a practical technique to decontaminate uranium-polluted gravel.

The relationship between economic status and mortality of South Koreans, as it relates to average life expectancy.

This study investigates the relationship between economic status and mortality of Korean men and women who were under and over the average national life expectancy using Cox's proportional hazard model to adjust for health status, past medical history, and age. The study subjects come from local applicants of Korean National Health Insurance who had a health examination in 2005. They were enrolled into a follow-up investigation from 2005 to 2011. In individuals younger than the average life expectancy, the mortality of the lowest economic status was 2.48 times higher in men and 2.02 times higher in women than that in the highest economic status. Economic status-mortality association in males older than the average life expectancy was attenuated but not eliminated. However, there is no significant relationship between economic status and mortality for females above the average life expectancy.

Alcohol-induced Hyperlipidemia Is Ameliorated by Orally Administered DWP208, a Sodium Succinate Form of ZYM201.

DWP208 is a sodium succinate form of ZYM-201 which is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis, a medicinal plant prescribed for various diseases, such as duodenal ulcers and bleeding in East Asian counties. We demonstrated that this compound is able to normalize the altered lipid metabolism induced by hyperglycemia and a high fat diet. In this study, we determined whether hyperlipidemic conditions induced with chronically treated alcohol can also be restored by DWP208. Similar to our previous results, orally administered DWP208 (1 to 10 mg/kg) also ameliorated the hyperlipidemia that was induced by alcohol. This compound reversed the alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia including (i) up-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), atherosclerotic index (AI), triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and (ii) down-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as absolute body weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum and liver. According to our data, the ameliorative activity of DWP208 is due to its indirect anti-oxidative activity as a result of which lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radical levels were reduced and the activity of SOD was enhanced. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that DWP208 can be used as a remedy against alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia.

In vivo sedative and gastroprotective activities of Salvia plebeia extract and its composition of polyphenols.

Animal experiments were performed to develop Salvia plebeia (Labiatae) as a medicinal herb with sedative and gastroprotective activities; the former activity was measured using a pentobarbital-induced assay and the latter activity was measured in two gastric lesion-induced assays (HCl/EtOH-induced and indomethacin/bethanechol-induced assays) in mice. The MeOH extract and its EtOAc fraction were effective, although the former was less active than the latter. Rosmarinic acid (RA) isolated from S. plebeia was active in the same method at 10 and 20 mg/kg (p.o.). HPLC quantification demonstrated that RA comprised the largest proportion (28.5% of the MeOH extract, 33.0% of EtOAc extract; 4.46% of dry weight) of S. plebeia. The contents of five other compounds were much less than that of RA, although the contents of the three glycosides, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-glucoside (0.28% of dry weight), cynaroside (0.35%) and nepitrin (0.43%) were higher than those of the two aglycones, quercetin (0.024%) and eupatilin (0.058%). The HPLC method was validated in terms of linearity, precision, accuracy and reproducibility. These results suggest that the main polyphenol, RA, plays a major role in the sedative and gastroprotective effects of S. plebeia.

Phytochemical studies of the phenolic substances in Aster glehni extract and its sedative and anticonvulsant activity.

On high performance liquid chromatography, the caffeoylquinic acid (CQ) occupying the highest proportion of the water-ethanol (7:3) extract of Aster glehni (Compositae) leaves was 3-Op-coumaroylquinic acid (46.10 ± 4.22 mg/g of dried weight) among CQs tested. The IC50 of the water-ethanol (7:3) extract was 4.23 ± 0.24 µg/mL in the peroxynitrite (ONOO(-))-scavenging assay. Phytochemical isolation from A. glehni extract yielded three kaempferol glycosides. The water-ethanol (7:3) extract and both p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid, phenylpropanoid moieties of CQs, had sedative effects in pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice and anticonvulsant effects in pentylenetetrazole-induced mice. Furthermore, the phenolic substance-rich W-E (7:3) extract of A. glehni could be used to treat anxiety or convulsion partly due to its peroxynitrite-scavenging mechanism.

Effects of pH and anions on the sorption of selenium ions onto magnetite.

This study analyzes the influence of carbonate and silicate, which are generally abundant in granitic groundwater, on the sorption of selenium ions onto magnetite in order to understand the behaviors of selenium in a radioactive waste repository. Selenite was sorbed onto magnetite very well below pH 10, but silicate and carbonate hindered the sorption of selenite onto magnetite. On the other hand, little selenate was sorbed onto magnetite in neutral and weak alkaline solutions of 0.02 M NaNO(3) or NaClO(4), matching the ionic strength in a granitic groundwater, even though silicate or carbonate was not contained in the solutions. The surface complexation constants between selenite and magnetite were obtained by using a geochemical program, FITEQL 4.0, from the experimental data, and the formation of an inner-sphere surface complex such as =FeOSeO(2)(-) was suggested for the sorption of selenite onto magnetite from the diffuse double layer model calculation.

ZYM-201 sodium succinate ameliorates streptozotocin-induced hyperlipidemic conditions.

ZYM-201 is a methyl ester of a novel triterpenoid glycoside. It is isolated from SANGUISORBA OFFICINALIS, a widely used medicinal plant in Korea, China, and Japan, that is prescribed for various diseases such as diarrhea, chronic intestinal infections, duodenal ulcers, and bleeding. In this study, the antihyperlipidemic effect of the salt form (sodium succinate) of ZYM-201 was examined using streptozotocin (STZ)-treated hyperglycemic rats. Oral administration of ZYM-201 sodium succinate (3 to 10 mg/kg) resulted in recovery of the increased serum levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) back to normal levels. Elevated levels of serum lipoproteins, such as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), were also significantly restored by this compound without altering 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase activity. Finally, ZYM-201 sodium succinate displayed antioxidative properties, including suppression of lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radical generation and upregulation of superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that ZYM-201 sodium succinate can be used as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes-derived hyperlipidemic disorders such as atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.

Modulatory effects of ZYM-201 sodium succinate on dietary-induced hyperlipidemic conditions.

Sanguisorba officinalis, a well known and valuable medicinal plant in Korea, China and Japan has been used traditionally for the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as diarrhea, chronic intestinal infections, duodenal ulcers, and bleeding. We studied the anti-hyperlipidemic effects of a chemically modified triterpenoid glycoside (ZYM-201 sodium succinate) isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis in rats in which hyperlipidemia had been induced by dietary administration of cholesterol and cholic acid. Oral administration of ZYM-201 sodium succinate (1 to 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently attenuated the diet-induced increases in body and liver weights. At 10 mg/kg, this compound also reversed the enhancement of serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol back to normal levels. In addition, imbalances in both serum and hepatic values of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) were prevented. Finally, this compound both blocked the generation of lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radicals and enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that ZYM-201 sodium succinate could play a role in modulating hyperlipidemic conditions, which could be used as a valuable remedy for the treatment of relevant disorders such as atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.

Rhododendrin, an analgesic/anti-inflammatory arylbutanoid glycoside, from the leaves of Rhododendron aureum.

To identify an analgesic/anti-inflammatory component from the leaves of Rhododendron aureum (Ericaceae), phytochemical isolation and pharmacological assays (writhing assays and vascular permeability assay for analgesic action in mice; carrageenan-induced paw edemaand TPA-induced ear edema assays of anti-inflammatory action in rats) were performed. Four compounds were isolated from the active fraction (BuOH fraction) by silica gel column chromatography and identified as (-)-rhododendrol, (-)-rhododendrin, avicularin and hyperoside by spectroscopic methods. Rhododendrin, the main compound of the BuOH fraction, exhibited significant analgesic actions in mice and anti-inflammatory actions in rats. This compound accounted for 3.1% of the MeOH extract and 0.48% of dried leaves, respectively, on HPLC analysis. These results suggest that rhododendrin is the major biologically active substance in the leaves of R. aureum with analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity.

23-Hydroxytormentic acid and niga-ichgoside f1 isolated from Rubus coreanus attenuate cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells.

The unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus (Rosaceae) are used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve kidney dysfunction. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of the triterpenoid glycoside niga-ichigoside F1 (NIF1) and of its aglycone 23-hydroxytormentic acid (23-HTA) isolated from the unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus (Rosaceae) against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in renal epithelial LLC-PK1 cells. Pretreating LLC-PK1 cells with 23-HTA or NIF1 was found to prevent cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. In addition, 23-HTA or NIF1 pretreatment significantly improved the changes associated with cisplatin toxicity by increasing levels of glutathione (GSH) and decreasing levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The activity of antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly lower in cisplatin-treated LL-PK1 cells, and 23-HTA or NIF1 treatment notably increased the these enzyme activity and protein and mRNA levels of CAT and manganese SOD (MnSOD). Moreover, cisplatin caused a significant decrease in nuclear levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and pretreatment with 23-HTA or NIF1 significantly suppressed the cisplatin-induced translocation of Nrf2 in LLC-PK1 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that 23-HTA ameliorates cisplatin-induced toxicity via modulation of antioxidant enzymes through activation of Nrf2 in LLC-PK1 cells.

Anti-ulcerogenic effect and HPLC analysis of the caffeoylquinic acid-rich extract from Ligularia stenocephala.

The leaves of three Ligularia species belonging to the family Compositae, Ligularia stenocephala, L. fischeri, and L. fischeri var. spiciformis, were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed on the caffeoylquinic acids by HPLC and subjected to peroxynitrite-scavenging assay. The IC(50) of the MeOH extract of L. stenocephala was 1.62+/-0.03 mug/ml and the major caffeoylquinic acids of L. stenocephala were 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-muco-quinic acid, and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid. The compositions of caffeoylquinic acids were different for the three plants. Since percentage of total caffeoylquinic acids of the extract was highest (42.20% of the MeOH extract and 94.52% of the BuOH extract) in L. stenocephala and potent in peroxynitrite-scavenging assay, the extracts of L. stenocephala were chosen to perform in vivo anti-ulcerogenic activity. Treatment of mice with the MeOH- and BuOH extracts decreased the diameter of gastric lesions caused by HCl/ethanol- and indomethacin/bethanechol and decreased the volume of gastric juice, suggesting that caffeoylquinic acids have anti-ulcerogenic activity. These results suggest that the leaves of Ligularia species may help prevent or treat gastric ulcers.

Pectolinarin and Pectolinarigenin of Cirsium setidens Prevent the Hepatic Injury in Rats Caused by D-Galactosamine via an Antioxidant Mechanism.

To identify the hepatoprotective component from the leaves of Cirsium setidens (Compositae), the methanolic extract was divided into two fractions, chloroform and butanol fractions, and their hepatoprotective efficacy was evaluated in a rat model of hepatic injury caused by D-galactosamine (GalN). Hepatoprotective activity was measured by the activity of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Glutathione metabolism was measured via biochemical parameters such as glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. We subjected the butanol fraction, which had higher activity, to column chromatography to yield pectolinarin, which was further hydrolyzed to yield pectolinarigenin. Administration (10, 20 mg/kg, p.o.) of the main flavonoid glycoside component, pectolinarin, and its aglycone, pectolinarigenin, for 2 weeks significantly decreased the activity levels of AST, ALT, ALP and LDH, indicating that the two compounds have hepatoprotective activity. Pectolinarin and pectolinarigenin also increased activity levels of GSH, GR, GCS, and GST, as well as SOD. The significant effect was only seen in SOD activity. This suggests that the two components exhibit hepatoprotective activity mainly via SOD antioxidant mechanism.

Anti-ulcerogenic effects of the flavonoid-rich fraction from the extract of Orostachys japonicus in mice.

Orostachys japonicus (Crassulaceae) herbal preparations have been used to treat gastric ulcer or gastric cancer disease in Korean folk medicine. To demonstrate the effects of the methanol (MeOH) extract of O. japonicus and its fractions on gastric lesions and pain, the MeOH extract was fractionated into triterpene-rich and flavonoid-rich (FRF) fractions. Second, the fractions were subjected to analgesic assays including hot plate and writhing assays and anti-ulcerogenic assays in HCl/ethanol-induced- and indomethacin/bethanechol-induced ulcer models in mice. In this experiment, it was found that the FRF most significantly reduced ulcerative indices and pain in mice, although the MeOH extract was also effective. Oral administration of the FRF highly reduced the diameter of gastric lesion induced by HCl/ethanol (inhibitory effect, 53%) and by indomethacin/bethanechol (inhibitory effect, 36%) at the 100 mg/kg dose. In addition, oral administration of 200 mg/kg FRF markedly increased the reaction time in the hot plate test by 52% and decreased stretching episodes (45%) in the writhing test. These results suggest that the active component of O. japonicus exhibiting the potent anti-ulcerative and antinociceptive effect is included in the FRF. The anti-ulcerative effects of the MeOH extract and the FRF were also supported by gastric juice and gastric acid volumes and pH in pylorus-ligated mice. Taken together, these results provide evidence-based support for the traditional use of O. japonicus for gastric disease.

The MeOH extract of Pleurospermum kamtschaticum and its active component buddlejasaponin (IV) inhibits intrinsic and extrinsic hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in the rat.

The inhibitory effect of the MeOH extract of Pleurospermum kamtschaticum (Umbelliferase) and its fractions were tested in hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic rats using four animal models induced using poloxamer-407 or using Triton WR-1339 as intrinsic inducers and by 30% corn oil or high cholesterol diet as extrinsic inducers. We measured serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels as measures of its hypocholesterolemic or hypolipidemic effects. Since the MeOH extract and the BuOH fraction of Pleurospermum kamtschaticum were found to be active using these four hypolipidemic assays, its major saponin buddlejasaponin IV {BS(IV)} isolated from the BuOH fraction were also tested to demonstrate the active components. BS(IV) was found to significantly inhibit hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipidemia by extrinsic and intrinsic inducers. In particular, BS(IV) reduced the blood thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and hydroxy radical levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity in high cholesterol diet-induced rats, thus suggesting that BS(IV) reduces oxidative stress caused by a high cholesterol diet. Moreover, these effects of BS(IV) were comparable to probucol, which was used as a positive control. These results suggested that Pleurospermum kamtschaticum which is traditionally used to treat atherosclerosis and its active major saponin BS(IV) could be used to treat hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia.

The anti-gastropathic and anti-rheumatic effect of niga-ichigoside F1 and 23-hydroxytormentic acid isolated from the unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus in a rat model.

This study was undertaken to produce the clinical merits of two natural antinociceptive anti-inflammatory triterpenoids which synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs do not have. The triterpenoid glycoside niga-ichigoside F1 (NIF1) and its aglycone 23-hydroxytormentic acid (23-HTA), which were isolated from the unripe fruits of Rubus coreanus (Rosaceae), reduced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) factor and C-reactive protein (CRP) factor in Freund's complete adjuvant reagent-induced rats, suggesting that these two triterpenoids had an anti-rheumatic effect. It was also shown that treatment with NIF1 or 23-HTA reduced gastric lesion extent, acidity and total gastric acid output induced by EtOH plus sodium salicylate in a gastric secretion test. Moreover, 23-HTA had a greater effect than the glycoside, NIF1. To clarify the anti-gastropathic mechanism of these two compounds, their free radical scavenging activities in the gastric mucosa were examined in a rat EtOH-sodium salicylate-induced gastropathy model. The two compounds significantly increased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, indicating that the healing effects of NIF1 and 23-HTA against gastropathy are associated with free radical scavenging enzyme activities. These results support the notion that the long-term administration of NIF1 or 23-HTA should overcome the adverse effects of synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Antinociceptive anti-inflammatory effect of Monotropein isolated from the root of Morinda officinalis.

The root of Morinda officinalis (Rubiaceae) is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and impotence in the traditional Oriental medicine. To identify the antinociceptive anti-inflammatory components of this crude drug, we adopted an activity-directed fractionation approach. The active fraction of the BuOH extract of M. officinalis root was subjected to silica gel and ODS column chromatography to yield two diterpenes, compounds 1 and 2 and these were identified as monotropein and deacetylasperulosidic acid, respectively. The iridoid glycoside, monotropein, was tested for its anti-inflammatory antinociceptive effects using hot plate- and writhing antinociceptive assays and by using carrageenan-induced anti-inflammatory assays in mice and rats. Pretreatment with monotropein (at 20, 30 mg/kg/d, p.o.) significantly reduced stretching episodes and prolonged action time in mice. It also significantly reduced acute paw edema by carrageenan in rats. These results indicate that monotropein contributes to the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory action of Morinda officinalis root.

Isolation of saponins with the inhibitory effect on nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from Pleurospermum kamtschaticum.

As an attempt to search for bioactive natural products exerting antiinflammatory activity, we have isolated two saponins were isolated from the aerial portion of Pleurospermum kamtschaticum (Umbelliferae) by nitrite assay activity-directed chromatographic fractionation. They were identified as saikogenin F 3-O-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside} (buddlejasaponin IV, 1) and 3beta,16beta,23,28-tetrahydroxy-11alpha-methoxyolean-12-ene 3-O-{beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside} (buddlejasaponin IVa, 2). Compound 1 significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production, and it also significantly decreased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) release in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage Raw 264.7 cells whereas compound 2 was much less active. Saikogenin A (3) and -H (4) were obtained by hydrolyzing 1 and 2. Although these sapogenin showed strong NO inhibition, these effects were caused by the cytotoxic effect on Raw 264.7 cells. These results supported the notion that buddlejasaponin IV is a major inhibitors of NO, PGE2 and TNF-alpha production in P. kamtschaticum.

In vivo antihepatotoxic effects of Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis and the identification of the active component, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid.

Pretreatment with a methanolic extract of Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis (Compositae) herb inhibited hepatotoxicities caused by CCl4, D-galactosamine (GalN), alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT), and DL-ethionine in rats. An ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract fractionated from the methanolic extract showed a strong inhibitory effect. A major component, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (DCQA), isolated from the methanolic extract was examined for antihepatotoxicity. Pretreatment with DCQA (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced serum aminotransferases (alanine and aspartate), sorbitol dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities during CCl4- or GalN-induced hepatotoxicity, suggesting that DCQA is a major principle for the antihepatotoxic activity of L. fischeri var. spiciformis. DCQA also partially restored bile flow and reduced total bilirubin and cholic acid concentrations in rats with ANIT-induced cholestasis. Treatment with DCQA inhibited the increase in triglyceride, cholesterol, and total lipids in DL-ethionine-induced fatty liver. These results support the traditionally held belief that this plant can be used for the treatment of jaundice and hepatic failure.

Momordin Ic and oleanolic acid from Kochiae Fructus reduce carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Hepatoprotective effects of momordin Ic and oleanolic acid obtained from Kochiae Fructus (KF), the fruit of a traditional Oriental medicinal plant, were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, CCl4-treated, CCl4 plus momordin Ic-treated (MMDIc-CCl4), and CCl4 plus oleanolic acid-treated (OAA-CCl4). Momordin Ic (30 mg/kg of body weight) and oleanolic acid (30 mg/kg of body weight) were orally administered once a day for 14 days. A mixture of 0.2 mL/100 g of body weight of CCl4 in olive oil (1:1, vol/vol) was injected 30 minutes after the final administration of momordin Ic and oleanolic acid. The momordin Ic and oleanolic acid pretreatments resulted in significantly lower serum transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels in the CCl4-treated rats. The CCl4-treated rats had significantly lower activities of glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, pretreatment with momordin Ic and oleanolic acid reduced the effect of CCl4 and helped maintain levels of the enzymes. Pretreatment with momordin Ic and oleanolic acid resulted in significantly lower production of aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase in the CCl4-treated rats. Pretreatment with momordin Ic resulted in lower catalase and aminopyrine N-demethylase activity induction by CCl4, towards normalization. Momordin Ic and oleanolic acid obtained from KF appear to contribute to alleviating the adverse effects of CCl4 treatment by enhancing the hepatic antioxidant defense system.