Antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effect of a polysaccharide from Bei Chaihu (Bupleurum chinense DC)

► Chinese medicine plays a pivotal role in hepatoprotective treatment. ► A polysaccharide fraction (WBCP) was purified from the roots of Bupleurum chinense. ► WBCP administration reduces AST, ALT, ALP and LDH activities, as well as TBARS level. ► WBCP also increases the levels of GSH, GR, GCS, GST and SOD. ► In addition, the elevated serum TNF-α level was counteracted by WBCP treatment.