Antioxidant activities of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., in vivo and in vitro

We have demonstrated the presence of both in vivo and in vitro antioxidant activities in the crude water-extract of the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (PMC), as indicated by its ability to protect against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats and to scavenge ferri-heme oxidants generated in an in vitro system. Activity-directed fractionation of the PMC indicated that the antioxidant components were contained in the ethylacetate fraction.