Pretreating mice with schisandrin B (Sch B), a dibenzocyclooctadiene derivative isolated from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, at a daily dose of 1 mmol/kg for 3 days protected against << menadione >>-induced hepatic oxidative damage in mice, as evidenced by decreases in plasma [[ alanine aminotransferase ]] activity (78%) and hepatic malondialdehyde level (70%), when compared with the menadione intoxicated control.